Portulaca linifolia Plant Care
Portulaca linifolia Forssk.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its needle-like succulent leaves and vibrant pink flowers, this plant originating from South Africa is a unique addition to any collection. Plant collectors are drawn to its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions, making it a low-maintenance and visually striking choice for gardens.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Portulaca linifolia?
Water Portulaca linifolia 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.
Where Is the Portulaca linifolia Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Portulaca linifolia?
Portulaca linifolia (Portulaca linifolia) belongs to the Portulacaceae family within the Portulaca genus. Portulaca linifolia is native to Africa.
Portulaca linifolia displays a low spreading succulent growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Portulaca linifolia produces colorful, small, cup-shaped flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Portulaca linifolia?
Portulaca linifolia 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 Portulaca linifolia Need?
Portulaca linifolia thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Portulaca linifolia Prefer?
Portulaca linifolia grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Portulaca linifolia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Portulaca linifolia?
Sandy, well-draining soil with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Portulaca linifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Portulaca linifolia?
Feed Portulaca linifolia 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 Portulaca linifolia?
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 Portulaca linifolia?
Portulaca linifolia can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to purslane plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Portulaca linifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Portulaca linifolia, 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 Portulaca linifolia?
Portulaca linifolia 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 Portulaca linifolia Need?
Portulaca linifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Portulaca linifolia is native to Africa. In cooler regions, grow Portulaca linifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Portulaca linifolia 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.
Portulaca linifolia 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 linifolia Forssk., family Portulacaceae (first published in Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. : 92 (1775)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Portulaca linifolia, 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.
