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Moss rose
Portulaca grandiflora · Portulacaceae
📷 Joydeep · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around moss rose and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Eleven O'Clock Flower
- Family
- Portulacaceae
- Foliage
- Deciduous, fleshy and succulent
- Flowering
- June to October, colorful flowers
- Adult size
- 20 to 40 cm tall, spreading habit
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender (grow as annual or overwinter indoors)
- Origin
- South America (Brazil, Argentina)
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrose légèrement et seulement quand le substrat est complètement sec : la portulaca stocke l'eau dans ses feuilles charnues et pourrit rapidement en terre humide. En pot, laisse la terre s'assécher entre deux arrosages, et en pleine terre bien drainée, elle se débrouille souvent sans apport une fois établie.
The common mistake
La majorité des jardiniers la tuent en l'arrosant trop régulièrement, croyant bien faire. Elle déteste l'humidité stagnante et les arrosages fréquents : c'est l'erreur numéro un.
The pro's trick
Pince les tiges à la plantation ou en début de saison pour la ramifier et obtenir une plante compacte et plus fleurie. Un plant pincé donne 3 à 4 fois plus de fleurs qu'un plant laissé à lui-même.
Seasonal watch
En automne et hiver, réduis drastiquement l'arrosage ou arrête complètement si tu la rentres : elle entre en semi-dormance et l'excès d'humidité froide crée la pourriture racinaire. Surveille aussi les jours gris et pluvieux de printemps : moins elle voit le soleil, moins elle fleurit (et plus elle pourrit).
Care
Watering
Water moderately in summer, once or twice a week depending on heat. Let the substrate dry out between waterings since this is a succulent plant and hates excess water. In winter or late season, drastically reduce watering.
Light exposure
Place your Eleven O'Clock Flower in full sun: it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to flower abundantly. The flowers close in overcast weather or late afternoon, which is where its charming name comes from. Avoid shade, where it will become leggy and won't flower.
Soil
Use a well-draining substrate: a mix of light potting soil and sand or perlite pearls. This plant dreads stagnant moisture. Poor soil won't bother it; it adapts to rudimentary conditions.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced or slightly potassium-rich fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during active growth (June to September). Too much nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowers: stay moderate.
Pruning and pinching
Pinch back young stems regularly in spring to get a more compact and bushy habit. Remove faded flowers to extend blooming. No drastic pruning is necessary; the plant naturally regrows in a spreading form.
Pests and diseases
Watch for powdery mildew in humid, warm weather: ensure good air circulation. Root rot threatens in case of excess moisture: improve drainage. Pests are rare; occasionally aphids at the start of the season.
Did you know?
The Eleven O'Clock Flower gets its charming name from the fact that its bright flowers typically close around 11 o'clock in the morning in overcast or cloudy weather. It's a heliotropic plant that responds to light like a floral clock. Originally from Brazil, it conquered European gardeners in the 19th century and remains a classic for summer gardens and flowering containers.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.