Rose moss or Eleven o’clock (Portulaca grandiflora)
Portulaca grandiflora (Rose moss or Eleven o’clock) is a small plant native to South America (Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina), of rapid growth, usually reaching less than 30 cm in height.
Its leaves are succulent and its flowers are between 2 and 3 cm in diameter, and can be red, orange, yellow, white, pink or violet.
The flowers open only when the sunlight is intense, which is why they receive the popular name “eleven o’clock”.
It is a very easy plant to keep in pots and is suitable for rock gardens, but it is also appreciated for forming flowery carpets in the garden.
Plant profile
Common name: Rose moss, Eleven o'clockScientific name: Portulaca grandiflora
Plant type: Annual / Biennial
Habit: Spreading / Branched
Height: 10cm - 50cm
Spread: 10cm - 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Flower color: Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Season of interest: Summer
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Containers & Pots, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: Drought resistant
Origin
South America (Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay).
Climate
It prefers a moderately warm climate, ideally between 19ºC and 30°C. It does not support very low temperatures.
Sunlight
Direct sunlight.
Watering
The soil should remain slightly moist for young or flowering plants. When well developed it is resistant to short periods of drought.
Soil
Very tolerant to different types of soil as long as it is well drained. Rose moss is a good plant for dry conditions. The ideal is a fertile and light soil, which does not retain too much moisture, with a pH between 5.6 and 7.
Flowering season
It depends on the planting season and the climate of the region, and it can bloom in spring, summer and autumn.
Cultivation cycle
Annual plants
Propagation
Propagate rose moss by seed, which must remain on the soil surface, as they need light to germinate (although they can be covered with a thin layer of sieved soil to keep them in place).
The seeds usually germinate in a week or two.
From cuttings. Pieces of healthy branches take root if planted in moist soil.
