Common PurslanePortulaca oleracea

Common Purslane

Purslanes

1. Portulaca hortensis
2. Portulaca officinarum
3. Portulaca sativa

1. Little Hogweed
2. Pusley
3. Verdolaga

1. Pigweed
2. Moss Rose

1. Purslane

1. Portulaca

1. NamePostelein

   Languagede

   Shared with

   1. Claytonia perfoliata

   Clarification

   Portulaca oleracea is summer purslane, whereas Claytonia perfoliata is winter purslane.

1. purslane
2. Portulaca oleracea
3. edible succulents

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiosperms
3. Eudicots

Purslanes

1. Portulaca grandiflora
2. Claytonia perfoliata

1. leaves
2. stems
3. flower buds

Purslane is a robust, succulent leafy vegetable especially valued for its high omega-3 fatty acid content and its refreshing, tangy flavor.

Known since antiquity as a medicinal and culinary plant, purslane spread from Central Asia to cover the entire globe.

1. Tasksowing

   Label

   Direct sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 5
   2. 6
   3. 7

   Conditionsoil_temp_min_15c

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Light germinator: press seeds down, do not cover with soil.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6
   2. 7
   3. 8
   4. 9

   Conditionpre_flowering

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Cut shoot tips regularly to encourage branching.

Full sun

High

Prefers warm, sheltered locations.

Sandy-loam, well-draining

Dislikes waterlogging; copes well with poor soils.

Moderate

Water only during prolonged dry spells.

Minimal fertilization

Over-fertilization leads to soft tissue and less flavor.

Good ground cover under tall-growing crops like tomatoes.

1. solanum-lycopersicum
2. pisum-sativum

1. lactuca-sativa
2. allium-cepa

Very undemanding in crop rotation; short growing period allows use as a gap filler.

Pale, yellowish leaves in cases of extreme deficiency.

1. Aphids

1. Oomycetes (White Rust)

1. Avoid waterlogging
2. Airy positioning to prevent fungal diseases
3. Regular harvest prevents seed formation

Purslane is very robust; problems usually only occur in extremely wet conditions.

1. Slugwhite-rust

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. High humidity
   2. Cool nights

   Affected parts

   1. Underside of leaves
   2. Stems

   Prevention

   1. Do not water from above
   2. Maintain planting distances

   Organic control

   1. Remove infected plants immediately
   2. Horsetail extract for strengthening

1. Symptom

   White pustules on the underside of leaves

   Possible causes

   1. white-rust

   First checks

   1. Check underside of leaves
   2. Monitor soil moisture

Usually a sign of waterlogging or lack of light.

Possible in extreme heat and bone-dry soil despite succulence.

1. Germination
2. Vegetative growth
3. Flower bud formation
4. Flowering
5. Seed maturation
6. Senescence after frost

Very rapid life cycle; can move from seed to flowering within 4-6 weeks.

June to September

Yellow

Small, five-petaled flowers that open only in bright sunlight.

June to October

Cutting shoot tips

High, as the plant regrows vigorously after cutting.

Continuously every 2-3 weeks possible.

1. Shoots have reached a length of approx. 10-15 cm
2. Leaves appear plump and succulent
3. Before flower buds appear (for best flavor)

Wash immediately after harvest and store in a cool place; wilts very quickly.

1. Refrigeration
2. Pickling

Short-term storage (fresh consumption)

3-5 days in the refrigerator wrapped in a damp cloth.

1. Freezing (only suitable for soups)
2. Pickling in vinegar (similar to capers)
3. Lacto-fermentation

Fresh produce

Nutty, slightly acidic, and refreshing.

1. Salads
2. Quark and yogurt dips
3. Smoothies
4. Stir-fry vegetables
5. Pesto

The thicker stems can be steamed like asparagus.

1. Leaves
2. Stems
3. Flower buds
4. Seeds

1. Roots (not toxic, but woody)

Contains oxalic acid; individuals with kidney stones should moderate consumption.

Highly suitable; young leaves are the most tender.

Easy

Not strictly required for variety purity in Portulaca oleracea.

Harvest capsules as soon as they turn brown, before they open on their own.

Rub capsules and sieve out the tiny black seeds.

Store in a cool, dark, and absolutely dry place.

Although purslane is a herbaceous annual, regular cutting (harvesting) is crucial for branching and delaying flowering.

Provides food for hoverflies and small wild bees; serves as a soil stabilizer.

1. Mix seeds with sand to achieve even sowing of the tiny grains.
2. Sow purslane under tomatoes to reduce evaporation.

Harvest in the morning for the highest moisture content.