Moss rose plants (Portulaca grandiflora) are popular flowering annuals sold at garden centers within the spring. And if you see leftover moss rose plants on inventory-clearance sale within the summer, you would possibly notice the plants are usually even as lovely as they were within the spring, a testament to the plant’s toughness. The medium green, cylindrical, succulent leaves of moss rose are another clue to the plant’s hardiness, namely its tolerance of drought conditions.

These plants grow three to nine inches tall and spread to make a dense mat, making moss rose an honest option as a ground cover. The flowers are available several bright colors and sometimes have ruffled petals, looking very almost like miniature roses. The blooms grow in clusters on reddish stems and typically don’t open on cloudy days or in the dark . Moss rose is straightforward and quick to grow and is best planted within the spring after the danger of frost has passed.

Moss Rose Care

Moss rose plants are a well-liked choice for growing in container gardens, along the front fringe of garden bed borders, as edging along paved walkways, in and on top of stone walls, and in rock gardens. additionally, the trailing habit of moss rose works well in hanging baskets. Moreover, moss rose doesn’t typically spread outside of its bounds as a ground cover, so it’s ideal for alittle garden.

These plants will flourish in poor, dry soils where many other plants might struggle, and overwatering or soil that’s too wet can actually kill them. they typically require little or no maintenance. They typically keep blooming from summer to the primary frost of the autumn with none deadheading required (removing spent blooms). But you’ll reduce the plants in mid- to late summer if they begin to seem lanky to renew their vigor. As annuals, the plants will die at the top of the season . But they are doing produce seeds which may germinate and sprout the subsequent year.

Light

Moss rose plants need six to eight hours of full sun on most days to seem and bloom their best. If you are trying to grow them during a shady area, the flowers won’t open.

Soil

These plants thrive in sandy and rocky soil, and that they demand excellent drainage. If your garden beds have clay soil, grow your moss rose in containers instead of attempt to improve the clay soil drainage.

Water

Moss rose plants have low to moderate moisture needs, though they aren’t as drought-tolerant as cacti. The plants will tolerate periods of dryness, but flowering is typically better with some soil moisture. So decide to water if you’ve got an extended stretch without rainfall.

Temperature and Humidity

A native of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, moss rose likes high heat and low humidity. it’ll tolerate cool, moist spring weather if it’s frost-free. But its best growth (and blooming) won’t occur until the summer heat comes along.

Fertilizer

Moss rose can tolerate lean soil, so it doesn’t absolutely need fertilizer. But feeding it with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting can help to market healthy growth and profuse flowering.

Is Moss Rose Toxic?

Moss Rose contains soluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic to animals including cats, dogs, and horses. If ingested in large quantities, they’ll even cause renal failure. concentrate to symptoms of poisoning that include depression, diarrhea, tremors, muscle weakness, and trouble swallowing.

Moss Rose Varieties

Consider these stunning moss rose varieties:

• ‘Afternoon Delight’: 2″ wide blooms are open all day and it delays closing its blooms within the evening
• ‘Duet’ series: Has bicolor flowers in yellow and red or yellow and rose
• ‘Fairy Tale’ series: Resembles bomb-type peonies because the flowers have a pom-pom center with flat petals that flare round the edges
• ‘Sundance’: Has larger flowers than many other varieties
• ‘Sundial’ series: Tolerates cloudy days and funky weather better than many other varieties and offers a good range of colours.

How to Grow Moss Rose From Seed

If you’re growing moss rose plants from seed, you’ll either start them indoors six to eight weeks before your projected last frost date or plant them within the ground after your area’s last frost. Add the seeds to slightly moist soil, and barely cover them because they have light to germinate. Germination should take about a fortnight. Maintain slight soil moisture until the seedlings emerge, then water the plants when the highest inch of soil is dry. Keep the seedlings by a bright window if you’re growing them indoors.

Common Pests and Diseases

Moss rose isn’t suffering from any notable pest or disease problems. Aphids might occasionally bother the plants, especially within the spring. With aphids, you would possibly notice a sticky substance on the leaves, also as yellowing and wilting of the foliage. Spray affected plants with insecticidal soap to treat the matter.