Moss Rose Plant Care
Portulaca grandiflora Hook.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Portulaca grandiflora is a succulent flowering plant in the purslane family Portulacaceae, native to southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay and often cultivated in gardens. It has many common names, including rose moss, eleven o'clock, Mexican rose, moss rose, sun rose, rose Jepun, table rose, rock rose, and moss-rose purslane.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Moss Rose?
Water Moss Rose every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Moss Rose?
Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora) belongs to the Portulacaceae family within the Portulaca genus. Moss Rose is native to southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay and often cultivated in gardens. Moss Rose is also known as Portulaca, Rose Moss, Eleven O'clock.
Moss Rose displays a low spreading succulent growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Moss Rose produces colorful, small, cup-shaped flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Moss Rose?
Portulaca grandiflora 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 Moss Rose Need?
Moss Rose thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Moss Rose Prefer?
Portulaca grandiflora grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Moss Rose prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Moss Rose?
Sandy, well-draining soil with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Moss Rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Moss Rose?
Feed Moss Rose every 4 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 4 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 Moss Rose?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Moss Rose?
Moss Rose can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to purslane plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Moss Rose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Moss Rose, 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 Moss Rose?
Moss Rose is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Moss Rose Need?
Moss Rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Moss Rose is native to southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay and often cultivated in gardens. In cooler regions, grow Moss Rose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Moss Rose 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 Portulaca genus — compare its care with other Portulaca species on PlantoScan.
Portulaca is part of the Portulacaceae plant family — browse all Portulacaceae genera and species.
Moss Rose thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Portulaca Species
Other Portulaca species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Portulaca grandiflora Hook., family Portulacaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 56: t. 2885 (1829)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Moss Rose, 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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