When to Plant Portulaca in Illinois
Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora), commonly called moss rose, is a succulent- stemmed annual built for hot, dry, low-fertility conditions where other flowers fail. Its silky, rose-like blooms open in full sun and close at night or on cloudy days. Excellent for slopes, rock gardens, containers, and parking-strip plantings where irrigation is limited. One of the easiest annuals for neglect- proof summer color.
Illinois spans USDA hardiness zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
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Click your county for exact Portulaca planting dates based on your local frost dates.
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Portulaca Planting Calendar for Illinois
▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 9 | May 9 – May 30 |
| Bloom | June 27 | Jun 27 – Sep 26 |
▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Direct Sow | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 16 |
| Bloom | June 13 | Jun 13 – Sep 19 |
▸ Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Direct Sow | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 8 |
| Bloom | June 5 | Jun 5 – Sep 18 |
▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | April 10 | Apr 10 – May 1 |
| Bloom | May 29 | May 29 – Sep 18 |
▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Direct Sow | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 |
| Bloom | May 13 | May 13 – Sep 9 |
Growing Tips for Illinois
Direct-sow after last frost once soil warms to 65°F, or start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost. Seed is tiny — surface sow and do not cover. Thin to proper spacing after germination. Thrives in poor, well-drained soil; rich or wet soil produces lush foliage but fewer blooms. No deadheading required — plants are self-cleaning. Double-flowered varieties hold blooms open longer in overcast conditions.
Portulaca in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- 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
When should I plant Portulaca in Illinois?
Planting dates for Portulaca in Illinois depend on your USDA zone. Illinois spans zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Illinois for planting?
Illinois contains USDA hardiness zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.