A weed is a weed, except when differing opinions on what is considered a weed exist. Think of the dandelion-I am sure you have seen lawns filled with them and seen all of the commercials advertising ways to destroy them. Purslane also falls into the category of weed to some, great plant to others.

An Introduction to Purslane:

Purslane goes by multiple names: known scientifically as Portulaca oleracea, it is also called pigweed, little hogweed, red root, and others. It is in the succulent family with reddish stems that grow close to the ground. Purslane flowers are tiny, yellow, and have five petals. It self-pollinates and has small black seeds.

Potential Benefits:

Purslane is edible and used for culinary purposes in various parts of the world. (Warning: Consult your physician before incorporating anything new into your diet.) It tastes similar to slightly tart spinach, and many people love it raw, especially in salads. During the neverending weeding sessions this summer, I, too, have snacked on this abundant plant. It is said to contain various vitamins, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and antioxidants.

Potential Drawbacks:

It is technically an invasive weed. Purslane began in India and China but now exists on every continent. It adapts quickly to many environments and reproduces wildly. It can root from any of its nodes (part of a plant stem from which leaves emerge), and its seeds can still produce plants after decades of lying dormant in the soil. It also makes seeds without pollination. Purslane loves moisture and is drought tolerant.

Verdict:

Some believe Purslane competes with other plants for space, water, and nutrients, affecting crop yields and making the lives of growers harder than necessary. Others have found it an excellent ground cover around walkways and a companion plant for some vegetables. However, it will make it more challenging for seedlings to break ground. People who use it as ground cover use it with healthy and more mature plant starts that love moisture but have roots that rot quickly. Because many of our community gardeners are growing vegetables and doing so very close to other gardeners' plots, Garden City Harvest calls Purslane a weed and we expect all community gardeners to weed it and keep it under control. Most farmers agree with that sentiment.

Tips for Weed Control:

Start managing it when it is young. We recommend weeding it with the hula or hoop hoe!
As with other pests, inspect your garden regularly.
Remove the plants before they flower. You can try soil solarization, aka covering the soil with a transparent plastic sheet to weaken the plant with extreme heat.
Mulch around your plants. Mulch must be at least 3 inches thick.
Weed by hand. Find the roots and pull them from the ground before flowering. Make sure you remove as much of the plant material as possible.

**Let Purslane do what you will at home, but please remove it from your community garden plots. Your neighbors will be happier, and you get a delicious plant to add to salads and other dishes.**

Need more information about weeds? Click the button below to check out our other blogs on weeds.

The Purslane Controversy

An Introduction to Purslane:

Potential Benefits:

Potential Drawbacks:

Verdict:

Tips for Weed Control:

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