Is Portulaca a Perennial? Understanding Its Annual Nature and Self-Seeding Habit

Portulaca (moss rose) is an annual, but it self-seeds so reliably it acts like a perennial.

Childhood Memory

The author’s great-aunt had portulaca by her door in sandy soil; it returned for decades via self-seeding, just like four o’clocks.

What This Means

• Plant once; let some flowers go to seed.
• Volunteers will appear next spring.
• In cold zones, it won’t overwinter as a plant, but seeds survive.

Enjoy its succulent foliage and bright flowers all summer with zero maintenance.