Moss rose, Portulaca grandiflora, is a drought and heat tolerant annual native to hot, dry plains in Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. This herbaceous plant in the purslane family (Portulacaceae) is cultivated throughout the world as a garden annual for its showy flowers that bloom all summer long with little care. It is related to the weed purslane (P. oleracea), and like that plant has escaped to naturalize in some parts of the country on roadsides and in waste places. In the ornamental industry moss rose may be listed as P. oleracea, P. umbraticola or P. grandiflora, but many cultivars are likely hybrids.
portulaca plant
Portulaca thrives when planted in well-drained, lean, sandy soil. They also do well with rocky soil, too. The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH of 5.5 to 7. If planting in containers, consider using a succulent and cacti potting mix instead of a standard one.
