Growing in Brisbane

Best time to plant purslane in Brisbane

Portulaca oleracea

Also called common purslane, pursley, little hogweed

Sow purslane in Brisbane in Aug to Mar.

Purslane is a succulent plant that can be eaten whole, raw or cooked, since every part is edible. Around 40 cultivars are grown, and cultivated forms tend to be more robust with bigger seeds. It should not be confused with winter purslane, a plant from another family.

When to sow in Brisbane

Brisbane, QLD is in the subtropical zone. Its months for purslane apply here without a frost adjustment.

Broadly matches local guides, with some differences.

Your local conditions can shift any months shown here, so treat them as a guide.

Frost in Brisbane

Frost usually arrives in Brisbane around mid July and finishes by late July. In about 1 year in 10 it comes as early as early July or as late as early August, so frost-tender crops are planned around those dates.

From its Bureau of Meteorology station, 1991 to 2020, counting a night at 2°C or lower as a frost. Frost hollows and hillsides can shift these dates by weeks, so ask the growers at your garden too.

On a shared plot: can spread

Self-seeds freely. Harvest before it sets seed so it stays out of neighbouring plots.

Growing details

How to start
Sow directly in the bed
Sowing depth
3mm
Plant spacing
60cm
Row spacing
5cm
Height
30cm
Germination
7-10 days at 15-35°C
Time to harvest
50-60 days
Frost
Frost tender
Sun
Full sun
Life cycle
annual

These are typical figures, and varieties differ. Your seed packet takes priority.

Purslane elsewhere

Purslane across Australia