Rose Moss

(Portulaca grandiflora)

Rose Moss (Portulaca grandiflora)

Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Jkadavoor | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Portulaca_grandiflora_at_Kadavoor.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description=Loop Road, [[Washington Park (Anacortes)]] |Source={{Own}} |Date=[[:en:ISO_8601|2009:07:03]] |Author=[[User:Wsiegmund|Walter Siegmund]] [[User talk:Wsiegmund|(talk)]] |Permission=Own work, attribution required (M

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Portulaca grandiflora, commonly known as Rose Moss, is an annual herb native to arid plains and sunny savannahs in South America, particularly in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. It is a low-growing, fast-growing plant that can reach up to 30 cm in height. The succulent leaves are thick and fleshy, up to 2.5 cm long, and are arranged alternately or in small clusters, which helps the plant conserve water in its native dry habitats. The flowers are showy and large, with a diameter of up to 4 centimeters, featuring five petals that come in a vibrant array of colors including red, orange, pink, white, and yellow. The flowers are particularly notable for their bright magenta color and obovate petals, which are 15 to 26 millimeters long. Although the plant does not produce conspicuous berries or fruit, its flowers are attractive to honeybees for pollen and nectar.

Rose Moss is celebrated for its drought tolerance and vibrant flowers, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens, annual bedding, and container planting. It is a low-maintenance plant that can thrive in urban settings, often seen sprouting between stones in old architecture. The plant prefers full sun exposure and well-drained, sandy soils. It is tolerant of low water conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping. While it self-seeds readily, it is not typically invasive outside its native range. Gardeners should be aware that it can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. Popular cultivars include those with double flowers and varied flower colors, often available in seed mixtures like the ’Double Flowering Mixture’.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.3-0.8 feet
Width: 0.5-1 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to arid plains and sunny savannahs in South America

Other Names

Common Names: Moss-Rose, Rose-Moss, Sunplant, Mexican-Rose, Eleven-O’Clock, Garden Portulaca, Garden Purslane, Rose-Moss-Of-Garden, Portulakröschen, Pourpier À Grandes Fleurs

Scientific Names: , Portulaca grandiflora, Portulaca gilliesii, Portulaca pilosa subsp. grandiflora, Portulaca grandiflora var. immerso-stellulata, Portulaca grandiflora var. cisplatina, Portulaca grandiflora var. macrophylla, Portulaca mendocinensis, Portulaca caryophylloides, Portulaca grandiflora f. depressa

GBIF Accepted Name: Portulaca grandiflora Hook.