Portulaca gilliesii mix – Rock flower, succulent portulaca with decorative flowers

Portulaca gilliesii is a perennial succulent plant from the Portulacaceae family, native to South America. It is appreciated for its low-growing habit, fleshy stems and brightly coloured flowers, which appear during the warm season. 

In Romania, plants of the genus Portulaca are commonly known as Moss rose, a name used especially for ornamental forms cultivated for their brightly coloured flowers. 

The plant forms low-growing or slightly trailing stems, with succulent leaves adapted to periods of drought. The flowers are decorative and open best in conditions of intense light and warmth.

🌿 Botanical characteristics

• Full name: Portulaca gilliesii Hook.

• Common names: Moss rose, Flor de seda, Gillies' Purslane

• Family: Portulacaceae

• Origin: Bolivia, northern Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay

• Plant type: perennial succulent plant

• Low-growing, compact to slightly trailing habit

• Fleshy and branched stems

• Succulent leaves adapted to drought

• Brightly coloured flowers that appear during the warm season

• Suitable for pots, planters and succulent plant collections

☀️ Growing conditions and care

• Light: prefers a very bright position and direct sunlight. Intense light encourages compact growth and flower opening.

• Substrate: very well-drained, airy and with a significant mineral component.

• Watering: moderate to low; allow the substrate to dry out well between waterings. Avoid waterlogging.

• Humidity: does not require high atmospheric humidity and appreciates good air circulation.

• Temperature: prefers warm temperatures during the active growing period.

• Fertilisation: moderate during the growing season, using a fertiliser intended for cacti and succulents.

• Cold tolerance: it is a subtropical species, and we do not recommend overwintering it unprotected outdoors in the Romanian climate. Plants grown in pots must be protected from frost.

🌱 Secret Garden substrate recommendation

👉 For Portulaca gilliesii, we recommend Secret Garden Professional Substrate for Cacti, Succulents and Adenium - SG MIX, an airy mix with fast drainage, suitable for succulent plants sensitive to excess water.

➡️ View the product: https://secretgarden.ro/products/substrat-cactusi-suculente-adenium

✨ What makes it special

• commonly known as Moss rose;

• an authentic succulent plant from South America;

• compact to slightly trailing habit;

• good tolerance to short periods of drought;

• prefers very bright positions;

• produces intensely coloured flowers during the warm season;

• suitable for pots, planters and succulent collections.

🔔 Note: The flowers open only in bright light and remain closed on overcast days or at night.

📌 Note: The plant may be delivered with or without flowers or buds, depending on the season and stage of development. 

The shape, size, degree of branching and foliage density may naturally vary from one specimen to another. The succulent stems and leaves may show minor scars, superficial spots, tears, signs of dehydration or other aesthetic imperfections resulting from growth, handling, transport or adaptation to new environmental conditions, without affecting the plant’s viability.

Plant height, including the pot, approx. 12 cm

Note: The plant may be delivered without flowers, but it can flower again in the following weeks if provided with suitable conditions. The displayed price is for a plant without flowers.