Integrated Pest Management

Common Purslane

Portulaca oleracea

Common purslane

Common purslane growth habit (Lynn Sosnoskie, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)

Common purslane

Common purslane flower (Utah State University, Bugwood.org)

Common purslane

Common purslane growth habit (Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)

Description

  • low-growing plant with thick succulent leaves and stems; stems radiate out from a central point
  • teardrop-shaped leaves are green with reddish margins; stems turn pink to red in color
  • bright yellow flowers have five petals

Location

  • commonly grows in landscape beds

Life Cycle

  • summer annual that germinates in late spring when soil temperatures reach 60°F; seedling germination is rapid after irrigation events
  • flowers appear several weeks after germination and seeds are produced within 3 weeks of flowers
  • flower and seed production continues throughout the growing season until fall frost

IPM Recommendations

  • Effective control must target both aboveground and underground plant structures.
  • Hand-pull plants in planting beds prior to seed maturation.
  • Apply a mulch layer 3 inches deep on planting beds to reduce seed germination.
  • Apply an appropriate pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed germination or apply an appropriate post-emergent herbicide directly to target weeds.