SAEDNEWS: Portulaca is one of the most widely used flowers in outdoor spaces, and it is propagated through seeds as well as its fleshy stems.
According to Saednews, Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) is a flowering plant in the family native to Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay.
It is also found in South Asia and has widely spread across many regions of the Balkans.
In Bangladesh, it is known as “Gol Zaman”, a name given because the flowers bloom at a specific time of day.
This plant is initially small but grows rapidly, reaching up to about 30 cm in height per year under suitable conditions, although it is often shorter in practice. With proper cultivation, it can easily reach this height.
Its leaves are thick and fleshy, about 2.5 cm long, arranged neatly and alternately in small clusters.
The flowers are 2.5 to 3 cm in diameter, with five petals, and come in a variety of colors including red, orange, pink, white, and yellow.
Moss rose has many varieties, some of which produce double-petaled flowers, and it shows a wide diversity of colors.
The scientific name of this beautiful plant is Portulaca grandiflora. It belongs to the Aizoaceae family and is a succulent flowering plant native to southern Brazil and Argentina.
It is known in Bangladesh as “Gol Zaman” because it blooms at a specific time of the day.
This plant has many species and is classified as a succulent. It grows quickly, starting very small but potentially reaching about 30 cm in one year under suitable conditions.
Its flowers are 2.5 to 3 cm in diameter with five petals and appear in colors such as orange, red, pink, yellow, and white. Some varieties even produce double flowers.
In the past, it was one of the most important ornamental plants in traditional gardens and was usually planted in designated areas.
The seeds are extremely small, and propagation is mainly done by seed, similar to lawn sowing. It is commonly used in parks, rock gardens, lawns, public squares, and boulevards for decoration.
This plant requires full sunlight and well-drained soil. It is very easy to maintain and can even grow among stones along roadsides or sidewalks.
Moss rose has low water requirements. Under normal conditions, it needs minimal watering. In warmer temperatures, it requires regular watering intervals.
If kept indoors, watering every 5 to 7 days is usually sufficient.
Water the plant only when the soil surface is completely dry, as overwatering can lead to root rot and plant death.
This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. However, growing it in shade reduces flowering.
Insufficient light may prevent full blooming of the buds.
In hot summer conditions, partial afternoon shade can improve growth performance.
A well-drained soil mix is ideal. A combination of leaf soil, sand, and organic compost—or garden soil mixed with leaf mold—is suitable.
Use a soluble fertilizer every three weeks during the growing season.
One of the common pests is aphids, which can damage young plants and may even cause seedling death.
There are several methods for propagation. The simplest method is to cut a stem about 10 cm long and place it in a glass of water. After about a week, roots will begin to form, and the plant can then be transferred to a soil mix such as leaf mold + sand or coco peat + perlite.
Another method is to plant cuttings directly into light soil.
Seeds can also be used for propagation.
The best planting time is early spring. A light growing medium such as coco peat + perlite or sand + leaf soil is recommended. First, moisten the mixture thoroughly and allow excess water to drain. After about 30 minutes, place the seeds on the soil surface and cover them with a thin layer of soil or leaf mold.
