If you want to enjoy fresh vitamins and minerals in fresh salad all year round, you should grow both summer and winter purslane. Both leafy vegetables are annual, herbaceous plants that are very easy to plant and care for without much effort. However, both species tend to spread quickly in an uncontrolled manner.
How do I care for purslane in the garden?
Caring for purslane is simple: water summer purslane only during dry periods and winter purslane not at all. Fertilization is not necessary, but garden compost can be used. Harvest regularly to avoid bitter leaves and protect the plant from mold and slugs.
Do I have to water purslane?
The sun and warmth-loving summer purslane, if it has been planted, only needs to be watered in dry periods. Winter purslane generally does not require any additional watering.
When and how much do I need to fertilize my purslane plants?
Purslane does not need to be fertilized, but can be provided with some additional garden compost at the beginning of the planting season.
Can you grow purslane in a pot?
The winter purslane in particular grows to cover the ground, while the summer purslane can grow to around 40 centimeters high. Despite their rather broad growth, both species can also be grown in pots, although bushier growth can be achieved by regularly trimming the shoot tips. The Peru purslane (Anredera species), which is also edible and is a sun-hungry and not winter-hardy climbing plant, is ideal for cultivation in a pot.
When and how should purslane be cut?
You can harvest both types of purslane several times a year, with the fleshy leaves being used either as a salad or as a soup addition. When harvesting, always cut off the leaves along with the stems, but leave the bottom two leaves standing. The young leaves taste best, while older ones tend to be bitter. Therefore, the plants should not be too large. The still closed flower buds can be pickled like capers, and the seeds, which are very high in protein, are also edible. Winter purslane should be cut when it is about ten centimeters long - but not later, otherwise it will become inedible due to the high nitrate content.
Is purslane susceptible to attack by certain pests or diseases?
If purslane is kept too moist, it has a strong tendency to become infested with mold. Summer purslane in particular cannot tolerate waterlogging. Otherwise, slugs in particular like the juicy and thick-fleshed leaves.
Which types of purslane are hardy?
Summer purslane is an annual plant that - if you let it - sow itself at the end of the growing season and in this way reliably comes back. However, unlike winter purslane, it is not hardy.
Tips & Tricks
Particularly in Russia, purslane used to be pickled in vinegar or s alt and thus preserved as a vitamin-rich winter vegetable.
