The portulacas are very suitable for landscapes and container gardeners. Here are some recommended varieties.


Puerto Rico purslane Series

The Puerto Rico series are flowering purslanes (Portulaca oleracea) rather than the usual moss rose. These vigorous plants have large medium green foliage.

The Puerto Rico series features several different flower colors. Puerto Rico Pink has single neon pink blooms are just delightful. A hot pink blush surrounds the yellow center. The series also includes Puerto Rico Purple, which is similar to the pink except for the difference in flower color.


Portulaca Calypso Mixture

This hybrid mix features large double and semi-double blooms. They come in a wide range of very bright clear colors. The shades include pink, rose, bright red, white, and yellow.

The plants tend to spread very nicely, eventually reaching about two feet wide. They would be great for planters and as annual ground covers.



Portulaca Tequila Series

Tequila plants can be grown from seed. These are quick growing varieties that can quickly spread to over 1½ feet across. With spreading stems, they’re only four inches in height. These hybrids are very reliable garden plants.

They begin blooming about 2½ to three months from the time the seeds are planted. Unlike some moss rose varieties, these hold up well when the weather becomes cool and wet.

Very floriferous, Tequila plants have double blooms. They come in a wide range of colors as well as a mix. Among the colors are several pastels, including cream, white, chiffon, peach, peppermint, and pink. Among the other colors are orange, yellow, primrose, fuchsia, mango, and cherry.

Some of the Tequila varieties performed beautifully in trials. Tequila Yellow did very well at the University of Florida trials in 2006. This has double blooms with orangish centers. This received a 3.25 rating on a scale of one to five. Tequila White also did very well in the trials.


Wildfire flowering purslane series

This series features varieties of flowering purslane (Portulaca oleracea), which is a different plant than moss rose.

The Wildfire plants can be grown from seeds, which is unusual for a flowering purslane. The plants have an upright growth habit.

Though the single blossoms are only one-half inch across, their abundance makes up for their petite size. These open all along the stems. This mix features various flower colors, including rose, apricot, and rose.