Purslane Planting Guide
Purslane is a succulent edible plant rich in omega-3 fatty acids, often considered a weed but increasingly valued as a nutritious green. It has a lemony, peppery flavor.
Portulaca oleracea · Vegetable · Portulacaceae family · 40–60 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Purslane Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Purslane?
Purslane Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Purslane planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 10 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Jun 21 – Jul 26 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jun 17 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jun 12 – Jul 17 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | Jun 6 – Jul 11 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | May 30 – Jul 4 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | May 22 – Jun 26 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 15 – Jun 19 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | May 6 – Jun 10 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | Apr 29 – Jun 3 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | Apr 19 – May 24 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | Apr 8 – May 13 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Transplant shows "—" because Purslane is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Purslane
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Portulacaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Portulacaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Purslane
Purslane matures in just 40–60 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 5 successive plantings by sowing every 4.6 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Purslane
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Purslane
Direct sow after last frost or allow to self-seed. Purslane thrives in hot, dry conditions. Harvest stem tips regularly. Contains more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy green.
Saving Purslane Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Purslane by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Purslane?
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) takes 40 to 60 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Purslane grow in?
Purslane can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Purslane need?
Growing Purslane requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.5.