Geraldene Holt

Portulaca oleracea Portulacaceae

Purslane

Appears in
Complete Book of Herbs
Complete Book of Herbs

By Geraldene Holt

Published 1991

  • About

CULTIVATION Purslane is a half-hardy annual with fleshy, tongue-shaped, light green leaves and small, daisy-like yellow flowers.

It grows to a height of 15 cm (6in) and prefers moist, fertile soil and sun. Sow seeds outdoors in late spring or under glass at any time of year, thinning the seedlings to 15 cm (6in) apart.

Pimpinella aniscum, ANISE

Harvest the leaves at any time, the flowers from midsummer. A useful garden, border, container and conservatory herb.

Recommended varieties Common, or green, purslane, Yellow-leaved purslane, P. satira.