What it is
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is in the Portulacaceae family. A sprawling succulent weed that's one of the most nutritious greens on earth — but learn its toxic lookalike.
How to grow it
It wants full sun, water it very low — succulent, and give it any, even poor soil. Target a soil pH around Adaptable. Expect roughly Year-round in warmth. Warm-season annual.
How it's used
Purslane is used: raw, cooked, pickled.
🔎 How to identify it
- Fat smooth red stems
- Thick paddle-shaped leaves
- Clear (not milky) sap
Edibility
PartsLeaves, stems, seeds
UsesRaw, cooked, pickled
CautionDistinguish from toxic spurge — see lookalikes carefully.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.