Overview

Often considered a weed, discussions in gardening circles about the herb purslane usually revolve around methods for its eradication. We think this is a crying shame! Purslane’s succulent-like leaves are not only nutritious, they’re also tasty, with a flavor similar to spinach with a slight lemony tang. Because of its flavor profile, this herb is commonly used in Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Its weed-like attributes, such as requiring little attention and thriving in harsh climates with only two-month growing seasons, actually makes this plant a great one for beginner gardeners. If you do decide to invite this herb into your garden, keep a diligent eye on its flower development: if it’s allowed to seed, it’ll very likely bully its way into other sections of your herbaceous ‘hood.

Golden purslane is similar to the Garden varietal of this plant as it’s also been domesticated and grows in a more upright fashion rather than close to the ground like wild varieties. It has leaves even more tender than those of the Garden purslane and possess a lovely golden hue that makes them as pretty as they are tasty. Try tossing some on a salad or in a sandwich for a refreshing and nutritious change of pace from conventional lettuce.

  • Botanical Name: Portulaca oleracea
  • Plant Type: Flower Herb
  • Variety: Golden
  • Growth Cycle: Annual
  • Season(s): Spring Summer Fall
  • Climate Zone(s): 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b
  • Light: Full Sun
  • Soil Type(s): Clay Loamy Sandy
  • Yield: .25–.5 lb per plant
  • Garden Dimensions: 2–4 plants per square foot
  • Germination: 7–10 days
  • Maturity: 30–50 days
  • Harvest: 30 days

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed:
Seed Depth: 1/4–1/2″
Space Between Plants: 6–12″
Space Between Rows: 16–18″
Germination Soil Temperature: 75–90°F
Days for Germination: 7–10
Sow Indoors: 6 to 8 weeks before average last frost date.
Sow Outdoors: Following average last frost date.

Vegetative: Will grow well from cuttings. Simply cut off pieces of this herb and strip any leaves growing close to the bottom. Place in soil and keep moist. That’s it!

Climate

While this herb will grow in most climates, it doesn’t particularly care for cold weather, so don’t plant outdoors until the risk of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently at 75°F or higher. Purlsane furthermore doesn’t care for high altitudes or extremely dry weather, so don’t expect it to grow well without some extra care if you live in mountainous regions.

Light

Natural: Full sun.

Artificial: Will grow using most artificial light sources but will grow best under an HID lamp. Keep under lights for a minimum of 8 hours a day; however, more is preferred. Lights should be kept a few feet away from the top of plants to keep them from burning.

Growing Media

Soil: This plant is not particular about its soil type but will do best in soil that is not overly moist. A pH of 6.0 to 8.0 will allow purslane to thrive.

Soilless: Seeds will germinate in most soilless mixes but will do best in those containing peat and vermiculite.

Hydroponics: Will thrive in hydroponic systems.

Aeroponics: Will thrive in aeroponic systems.

Care

Water: Young plants will require moderate levels of water; however, this plant is highly drought tolerant and will not require much irrigation once it has matured.

Pruning: Remove flower heads as they appear to keep this plant from self seeding and taking over your garden. If your plant becomes a bit overzealous, you might also want to consider digging some up. Be sure to remove the entire tap root if thinning out your crop.

Troubleshooting

Pest(s):

  • Leafminers

Disease(s):

  • Black stem

Rotation and Companion Plants

Rotation: Makes a great cover crop for fields that are used to grow corn.

Companions: Grows well with corn, basil, cabbage, beets, carrots, and various grains.

Harvest and Storage

Harvest: To harvest, pull off stems and/or pick the leaves individually. The entire plant may also be harvested by digging down in the soil and removing the tap root. The tips of the leaves will be the most tender, so if you are not in need of a lot of the herb, pinch these off to add to your dish!

Storage: The leaves will keep in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks. The water-rich leaves will help keep them from wilting.

Other Info

Fun Fact: If you’ve an affinity for this lovely little herb, you’re certainly in good company. It’s believed to have been one of Gandhi’s favorite foods. In fact, Gandhi recommended that all Indians grow purslane in their own gardens to increase their self-sufficiency.

Consumption

Preserve and Prepare

Preserve: As this plant contains a good deal of water, it’s not commonly dried but does well when pickled. Leaves may be frozen but can develop a grainy texture.

Prepare: Add leaves fresh to salads or as a garnish or boil, bake, stir-fry, or steam! To pickle, fill a jar with the cleaned and trimmed leaves and fill with some garlic and vinegar. Top off your jar with a clean top and leave in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Some sources have also suggested blending the leaves with pine nuts or walnuts to make a tangy pesto.

Benefits

Nutritional: This little herb packs a serious nutritional punch as it’s extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin(s) including A, C, E, and B. It also contains multiple essential minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium.

Medicinal: Because of its high content of omega-3s, purslane can contribute to improved heart health and a possible reduction in the risk of alzheimers, arthritis, and asthma. Omega-3s have also been linked to the reduction and/or mitigation of certain mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Culinary

When you’ve got a green with this much flavor, it’s best to keep cooking simple. Try this easy Purslane Potato Salad at your next barbecue and be prepared to answer a lot of questions about this little-used but often-loved herb!

Resources

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