rose-moss-of-garden (Portulaca grandiflora) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Moss rose is a low-growing that thrives in hot, sunny flower beds. Its fleshy leaves store water, and its bright flowers usually open in strong sun and close at night or in cloudy weather.

Appearance

Growth form: This low annual usually forms a mat 3–8 in (8–20 cm) tall and up to about 1 ft (30 cm) across.
Leaves: The leaves are fleshy, cylindrical to narrow, and up to about 1 in (2.5 cm) long. They cluster along reddish, branching stems.
Flowers: The upward-facing flowers come in pink, red, orange, yellow, white, purple, and mixed patterns. Garden forms may be single, semidouble, or .
Flowering time: In much of the United States, plants bloom from early summer until frost.
Fruit: Rounded capsules split when ripe and release many tiny seeds. Plants often reseed in suitable sites.

Look-alikes

common purslanePortulaca oleracea

Common purslane has broad, flat leaves and tiny yellow flowers. Moss rose has narrow, fleshy leaves and much larger flowers in many colors.

Why they get mixed upBoth are low Portulaca plants with succulent leaves and reddish stems.

moss phloxPhlox subulata

Moss phlox is a woody-based perennial with opposite, stiff, needle-like leaves and clusters of small five-lobed flowers. Moss rose is an annual with soft, succulent leaves and larger flowers.

Why they get mixed upBoth make low mats covered with pink, red, purple, or white flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: sunny flower beds
rock gardens
containers
Range: It is native to southern South America and is widely grown as a summer annual in the United States. It has escaped cultivation along roadsides and in waste places in some parts of the country.
Preferred conditions: It grows best in full sun and well-drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil. Wet soil can lead to stem or root rot.

Growing it

Propagation: Most forms grow readily from seed, while some newer garden forms are propagated from cuttings.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: Moss rose includes many flower colors and double-flowered selections. Some broad-leaved plants sold under this name are other Portulaca species or hybrids.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: It is commonly used as an edging plant or spiller for containers.
The familiar names moss rose and rose moss describe its low mat of foliage and rose-like flowers.

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