How to Plant and Grow Moss Rose

If you need to cover hot and sunny ground, look no further than moss rose. Whether you call it moss rose, portulaca, or purslane, this plant is tough as nails and can stand up to almost anything. With a trailing habit and nonstop bloom power, it looks great in many settings.

The blossoms of moss rose usually come in vibrant jewel tones, but mild pastel options are also available. There are also flowers with "broken color," a truly unique display of solid colored petals streaked randomly with a secondary color or the outside of the petal and in the center.

Blooms are typically single flowers with five petals and a pom-pom of yellow stamens in the center, but there are semi-double blossoms that have a few extra rows of petals. You can also find fully double flowers with a flurry of petals together and no visible stamens in the center.

These plants, with fleshy, succulent leaves and stems, are adapted to dry conditions. The leaves store water for use during droughts and may even up their stems to help with water loss. The leaves on moss roses differ, too. Some varieties are needle-like, while others are more paddle-like in shape.

Where to Plant Moss Rose

Moss rose is an extremely easy plant to grow. It is an annual in USDA zones 3-9 but can be grown as a perennial in zones 10 and 11. The biggest thing to consider when planting moss rose is location. Moss rose hates wet areas, and one of the few ways to kill this plant is by overwatering it. If you have clay soil, plant moss rose in a planter or hanging basket, where its trailing flowers will add the "spiller" to a container garden assortment.

How and When to Plant Moss Rose

Plant moss rose seeds or seedlings in early spring after the last frost. Seeds can be started indoors four to eight weeks before the last frost date. For the best results, select a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil.

Dig a hole about the same width and depth as the planting container. Remove the plant and loosen the roots a bit from the root ball before placing in the hole. Backfill with soil, tamp lightly, and water well. Space moss rose plants 6 to 12 inches apart.

Moss Rose Care Tips

Light

Moss rose plants need full sun to look their best—about six to eight hours a day.

Soil and Water

Water the plants sparingly. Moss roses are adapted to dry, desert-like conditions. Because of this, it may take them a little time to get going in a cool, moist spring—but once the summer heat kicks in, these plants will be off to the races! Moss rose also grows well in slightly salty soil and thrives in rocky or sandy areas, making it a good choice for beachside landscapes.

Fertilizer

Moss rose plants typically don't need fertilizer to thrive, but you can use a time-release balanced fertilizer when you plant moss rose.

Pruning

Another great thing about this plant is that it doesn't require deadheading. Moss roses keep blooming all season long with no additional care needed. However, the plants produce large amounts of seed, so if you plant them once, you may see volunteers coming back each year. Fortunately, it's easy to weed out any unwanted seedlings with a garden rake or trowel.

Pest and Problems

Deer aren't usually attracted to moss rose plants, but aphids and slugs can be a problem. The biggest problem—stem and root rot—occurs when the plant receives too much water or is in poorly drained soil.

How to Propagate Moss Rose

The easiest way to propagate moss rose plants is to take cuttings from them before the first frost in the fall.

• Take a cutting 5-6 inches long and remove the leaves from the bottom third.
• Place the cutting in a well-draining, sterile planting medium about 2 inches deep.
• Lightly water the cutting.
• Cover the plant with a plastic bag to trap humidity.
• Place it in a warm spot where it will get lots of light. Keep it moist.

The cutting should be rooted in about two weeks.

You can also grow moss rose from seeds after the weather warms above 70°F. Sow them in well-draining soil and keep them moist for about ten days. You should see growth between seven and 14 days later.

Types of Moss Rose

'Sundial Fuchsia' Moss Rose

Portulaca 'Sundial Fuchsia' offers bold magenta-pink blossoms on compact, heat-resistant plants.

'Sundial Peppermint' Moss Rose

Portulaca 'Sundial Peppermint' offers white blooms liberally striped with hot pink.

'Sundial White' Moss Rose

Portulaca 'Sundial White' bears showy double white blooms all summer long.

'Sundial Yellow' Moss Rose

Portulaca 'Sundial Yellow' bears showy double golden-yellow blooms all summer.

Moss Rose Companion Plants

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are versatile. They grow easily from seed sown directly in your garden's poorest soil and bloom all season until frost—and they are never greedy about food or fertilizer. Nasturtiums are available in either spreading or climbing types. Plant spreading types in large containers to spill over the sides or alongside wide paths to soften the sides for a romantic look. Use nasturtium to brighten a rock garden or between paving stones.

Plant them at the edges of beds and borders to fill in between other plants and add a soft, flowing color. Train climbing types up trellises or alongside fences. The leaves and flowers are edible; use them as a showy plate garnish or to jazz up salads. Perennial in Zones 9-11

Zinnias

Want fast color for just pennies? Plant zinnias! A packet of seeds will fill an area with gorgeous flowers in an amazing array of shapes and colors—even green! And it will happen in just weeks. There are dwarf types, tall, quill-leaf cactus, spider, multicolor, special seed blends for cutting, special blends for attracting butterflies, and more. Zinnias are so highly attractive to butterflies that you can count on having these fluttering guests dining in your garden every afternoon. Plant lots of tall red or hot pink zinnias in a large patch to attract the most pollinators. 'Big Red' is especially nice for this; the flowers are outstanding and excellent for cutting. Zinnias grow quickly from seed sown right in the ground and do best in full sun with dry to well-drained soil. Zones 2-11

Sweet Potato Vine

Among the most popular container-garden plants, sweet potato vine is a vigorous grower that you can count on to make a big impact. Its colorful foliage, in shades of chartreuse or purple, accents just about any other plant. Grow a few together in a large pot, and they'll make a big impact all on their own. Sweet potato vines do best during the warm days of summer and prefer moist, well-drained soil. They thrive in sun or shade. Winter hardy in Zones 9-11