Kiss me quick
Portulaca pilosa · Portulacaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around kiss me quick and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Hairy Portulaca
- Family
- Portulacaceae
- Type
- Annual or semi-evergreen succulent plant
- Blooming
- June to October, rose-magenta flowers
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm tall, spreading habit
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fleshy and downy
- Hardiness
- Tender (0 to 5 °C max)
- Origin
- Tropical and subtropical regions of America
Care
Light
Place Portulaca pilosa in full sun, ideally 6 to 8 hours per day. Intense sunlight enhances flowering and foliage color. It tolerates shade poorly: the plant weakens and flowers become rare.
Watering
Water moderately during growth, allowing the substrate to dry between waterings. In winter or during dormancy, reduce watering drastically. Avoid standing water which causes root rot. Prefer watering at the base rather than fine misting.
Soil and substrate
Use a very well-draining substrate: a mix of light potting soil, coarse sand and perlite. Succulents appreciate poor, well-aerated soil. Avoid excessive enrichment and overly compact potting mixes.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring-summer). Do not fertilize in winter. Overfeeding promotes soft foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and pinching
Pinch young stems to encourage branching and a fuller habit. Remove dead or broken stems. Light pinching in spring rejuvenates the plant and stimulates better flowering.
Diseases and pests
Watch for rot caused by excessive moisture and mealybugs in enclosed spaces. Ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage. Excess water is the main enemy of this succulent.
Did you know?
Portulaca pilosa, native to tropical America, derives its name from the Latin 'pilus' (hair) because of its finely downy foliage that sets it apart from common purslane. This fine hairiness allows it to reduce transpiration in hot, dry climates—a remarkable adaptation to aridity that botanists have admired for centuries.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- SageSalvia officinalis
- CamelliaCamellia japonica
- BoxwoodBuxus sempervirens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.