Water Purslane Plant Care
Lythrum portula (L.) D.A.Webb
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lythrum portula is a species of flowering plant in the loosestrife family known by the common names water-purslane and spatulaleaf loosestrife. It is native to Europe, and it is found in parts of western North America as an introduced species.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Water Purslane?
Water Water Purslane every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Water Purslane Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Water Purslane?
Water Purslane (Lythrum portula) belongs to the Lythraceae family within the Lythrum genus. Water Purslane is native to Europe, and. Water Purslane is also known as Whorled Loosestrife, Small Loosestrife.
Water Purslane displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Water Purslane produces showy spikes of pink, purple, or magenta flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Water Purslane?
Lythrum portula requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Water Purslane Need?
Water Purslane thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Water Purslane Prefer?
Lythrum portula grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Water Purslane prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water Purslane?
Moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Water Purslane to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Water Purslane?
Feed Water Purslane every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Water Purslane?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Water Purslane?
Water Purslane can be propagated through seeds, division of rootball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to winged loosestrife plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Water Purslane Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Water Purslane, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Water Purslane?
Water Purslane is susceptible to aphids, japanese beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Water Purslane Need?
Water Purslane grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Water Purslane is native to Europe, and. In cooler regions, grow Water Purslane as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Water Purslane is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lythrum genus — compare its care with other Lythrum species on PlantoScan.
Lythrum is part of the Lythraceae plant family — browse all Lythraceae genera and species.
Water Purslane thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lythrum Species
Other Lythrum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lythrum portula (L.) D.A.Webb, family Lythraceae (first published in Feddes Repert. 71: 13 (1967)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Water Purslane, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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