Botanical family: Portulacaceae

Ceraria namaquensis, Portulacaria namaquensis

Very slow growing smallish, woody stemmed desert shrub with many short, spiky semi-deciduous, succulent leaves. It is usually grown grafted on Portulacaria afra.

Lewisia cotyledon

Colors range from white, off-white, blue, lavender, purple, yellow, orange to red and crimson. The unusual color of this small shrub ranges from two to five feet in height and is native to California. It's optimal growth lies between full sun exposure and partial shade exposure, as it does not require an excessive amount of sunlight or water.

To effectively grow Lewisia cotyledon in the climate, the soil must be rich and well-drained, but not too dry. The soil must also have plenty of organic matter and it is recommended to avoid planting near the coast or in areas highly exposed to salt winds. This is because the air can cause the foliage to dry out and the flowers may not form correctly or may not hold up against the drying out.

To water properly, Lewisia cotyledon should be consistently and regularly watered, so that the soil is moist but not soggy. During times of drought, additional watering may be necessary, especially if the plant is in a pot. During colder conditions, the soil should be kept a bit more moist and the plant should be protected from direct frost.

When it comes to caring for Lewisia cotyledon, it benefits from a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus during the flowering period. This help the plant produce a better display of flowers. In colder regions, it is also beneficial to grow Lewisia cotyledon in a pot, because this will help to protect the plant from cold temperatures and frost.

Portulaca grandiflora

Fleshy stems and leaves, they are one of the very few annual succulents. They tolerate heat and drought, which is a characteristic of their more "native" relative, Portulaca oleracea. The leaves are cylindrical, about an inch long, and pointed on the tips. The roselike flowers are about an inch across and come in bright colors like rose pink, red, yellow, white, and orange. Some are striped or spotted with contrasting colors. Moss rose grows well in poor, sandy or gravelly soils. The soil must be very well-drained. Drought tolerant, but flowers best with regular watering. Don't water with overhead irrigation, which can damage the flowers. The seeds are very tiny, so mix them with sand before sowing to make them easier to scatter. Seeds can be sown directly outside where they are to grow in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.

Portulaca molokiniensis

Native to Pacific Islands, Portulaca molokiniensis, or Hawaiian Portulaca, is a small shrub, typically growing to between 2 to 5 feet tall. Its caudex, a thickened swelling of the main stem, acts as a water reservoir during periods of drought. This plant is perfect for gardeners who desire a low maintenance plant and loves full sun and moderate water. Though, the plant will tolerate hot climates and can even go into periods of drought without too much interruption.

The flowers on this plant are of yellow and orange variety, giving each plant an extra beautiful touch. When in bloom, they emit a light and pleasant scent throughout the area.

Portulaca molokiniensis is easy to grow and propagate, doing best in USDA Zones 9-11. When growing in cold areas, these plants should be cared for in pot by keeping the container to areas of full sun, low but regular watering, and allowing the soil to dry out between watering periods.

Portulaca molokiniensis is a beautiful and resilient plant, thriving in the harshest and the sunniest of climates. With its unique coloring, sweet scent, and its low maintenance needs, it is a perfect plant to add a colorful touch to any garden.

Portulaca oleracea

Fleshy stems and leaves, they are one of the very few annual succulents. They tolerate heat and drought.

A Purslane cultivar grown as a vegetable. There are a number of cultivars, some rose pink, red, yellow, white, and orange flowers.

Portulaca werdermannii

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Portulaca werdermannii is a prostrate succulent species with terminal, violet-fuchsia flowers.

Portulacaria afra

This interesting plant can be used as an indoor bonsai where sunlight or strong artificial light is sufficiently available. The plant known to us as P. Afra was first illustrated from a rooted cutting in 1732 by Dr. Johann Jakob Dillenius, Oxford professor of botany, in his Hortus elthamensis. Not having flowered, it was understandably thought to be a species of Crassula. The common names derive from the succulent nature of the plant's leaves and stout trunk, and also from the observation that elephants will browse upon this. This is a stout juicy-stemmed, soft-wooded, semi-evergreen upright shrub or small tree, in the ground growing about 9 ft tall. The diameter of the trunk can be 9" or more. The leaves and young branches/branch tips are quite phototropic. Older branches, gray, shiny and up to 2" thick, will hang down or trail on the ground. Spreading outward, less frequently they will grow erect, especially at the center of the plant. Has opposite, obovate (egg-shaped), glabrous, very fleshy, blunt green leaves usually less than 1" long and without a distinct petiole or leaf stem. The flowers are white/pink/rose/lilac-colored. In South Africa P. afra bears these star-shaped flowers in late spring and summer after the rains, but seldom blooms in the western U.S., Hawaii, or Florida. The flowers are rare in cultivation, but if kept very dry the older and presumably unpruned plants may flower after rain. The berry-like fruit is pinkish, small, light, dry, transparent. Leaves of plants grown in full sun are smaller than those of the same variety grown in partial shade. Full sun is also known to bleach the leaves to a pale yellowish color on some large potted specimens. Brown patches on leaves can be due to sun scorch. Move the affected plant to a more airy place and shade from the hot sun for two weeks. Cuttings can become rooted in water, but after about one month the cutting needs to be put in soil or else it will rot.

In Africa, it is a favorite food for both Elephants and Rhinoceros, and is grown in farms for feeding both animals and people. The foliage when eaten raw, steamed, lightly boiled, or especially stir-fried, is not only delicious but actually very nutritious, containing more beneficial Beta 3 fatty acids than most fish.

Read more about Portulacaria afra.

Talinum paniculatum variegatum

The variegated form of Jewels of Opar has excellent creamy white edged foliage, handsome enough alone, but especially nice when set off by the wiry reddish stems topped with dainty pink flowers. Growing in well-drained soil with some water and lots of sun.

Talinum paniculatum,Talinum roseum, Portulaca paniculata

Beautiful low-growing shrub 2-3 ft tall with lots of bright pink flowers that open in the morning and stay open till late afternoon. Very fast growing. What makes this plant special? If you read "Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar" by Edgar Rice Burroughs: "...Tarzan stooped and lifted a leathern pouch from the grisly relics of a man. The hard outlines of the contents brought an exclamation of surprise to his lips. "The jewels of Opar!" he cried, holding the pouch aloft, "and," pointing to the bones at his feet, "all that remains of Werper, the Belgian..."

Talinum sp.