purslane

Purslane should be watered regularly with about 1 inch of water per week. Water should be applied deeply and evenly throughout the soil, saturating it until water drains from the bottom of the pot. During periods of extreme heat, it may be necessary to increase watering frequency to twice a week. It is important to water at the base of the plant near the roots, as watering directly on the foliage will cause the leaves to burn. Too much water will cause the plant to rot and suffer stunted growth; therefore, the plant should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. In the winter months, watering should be reduced to once or twice a month since the plant will be less active.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea subsp. sativa) will do best in full sunlight or bright indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight lasting for at least 6 hours a day is ideal. It can tolerate partial shade as well but will not produce as much growth or as many flowers as it would in a bright, sunny spot. It will also grow in areas of dappled shade, but plants in such conditions bear fewer flowers and tend to be thin or spindly. It is possible in some areas for a plant to be in direct sunlight for more than 6 hours a day, so in these cases it is beneficial to move the plant to a partially shaded area.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea subsp. sativa) requires regular pruning to produce a healthy, lush vegetation. It should be pruned during the growing season, typically between early spring and late autumn when it's actively growing. Pruning should be done monthly or bi-monthly and should be done in the morning when the leaves are relatively dry. Trim the stem tips to control growth and create a fuller, bushier plant. Take care to make the cuts at an angle so as to prevent water from accumulating and rotting the pruned edges. Don’t over-prune as too much pruning can stress the plant, weaken its structure, and reduce flowering.