Growing Gorgeous Hanging Portulaca Basket Gardens

Growing Beautiful Hanging Portulaca Baskets

Portulaca, commonly known as moss rose or purslane, makes for a stunning summertime display when grown in hanging baskets. The low-growing succulent forms a flowing cascade of colorful flowers that sway gently in the breeze. Portulaca is one of the easiest annuals to grow, requiring little care while thriving in hot and dry conditions. This drought-resistant beauty is perfectly suited for hanging in sunny spots around patios, porches, and gardens.

Choosing the Best Portulaca Varieties for Hanging Baskets

Several portulaca cultivars are ideal for cascading out of hanging baskets. When shopping for portulaca plants, look for trailing varieties with labels indicating their suitability for containers or hanging baskets. Top varieties to consider include Sundial Peach, Sundial Mix, Colorblast Double Orange, Colorblast Red, and Double Firewing.

Sundial portulaca varieties produce semi-double flowers in sunset shades of peach, coral, yellow, orange, and red. The Sundial Mix offers an assortment of these warm sunset tones that complement each other beautifully in hanging arrangements.

The Colorblast series features large, fully double flowers that put on a spectacular show dangling in the breeze. Colorblast Double Orange has huge double blooms packed with creamy orange petals. For rich red blossoms, go with Colorblast Red.

Getting Portulaca Ready for Hanging Basket Display

Start preparing portulaca for hanging basket displays in early spring. You can buy young portulaca plants ready for transplanting or start plants from seed 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Place several young seedlings or plants around the edges of a hanging basket filled with a lightweight potting mix formulated for containers.

Plant portulaca at the same level they are growing in their pots or cell packs. Water them in well to gently settle the soil. Fertilize every 10-14 days using a water-soluble plant food for flowers and vegetables mixed at half-strength. Pinch off spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.

Caring for Hanging Portulaca Through Summer

One of the best things about portulaca is how easy they are to grow and care for all summer. Set hanging baskets in locations receiving at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Maintain moderately moist soil for the first few weeks after transplanting to allow young plants to establish roots. After that, allow the basket to dry out slightly between waterings.

Being succulents, portulaca plants can tolerate some drought once established. However, they will flower longer with regular moisture. Check soil moisture by sticking your finger an inch down into the potting mix and water containers whenever the top inch becomes dry. Take care not to overwater.

Apply a bloom-boosting plant food every 2-3 weeks to nourish plants and keep flowers coming. Prune back spent blooms and any overgrown trailing stems to encourage branching and maintain a full, bushy look.

Overwintering Portulaca Plants Indoors

In most climates, portulaca is grown as an annual and discarded after frost kills the plants. However, you may be able to save plants and use them again the following year. This involves digging up plants before the first hard freeze and overwintering them as houseplants.

Caring for Portulaca Houseplants Over Winter

Start hardening off plants by setting them in a sheltered location outdoors when temperatures drop to around 50 degrees F a few weeks before frost hits. Allow the soil to dry out between occasional waterings during this transition period.

Before the first hard freeze, remove the plants from hanging baskets. Careful loosen and shake off as much soil as possible to reduce the likelihood of overwintering pests. Repot the root balls in individual containers using a sterile well-draining potting soil. Prune back stems by one third to one half.

Move pots to the brightest sunny window available indoors. Allow plants to go semi-dormant, watering only occasionally when soil is dry 2-3 inches down. Feed monthly with a balanced liquid plant fertilizer mixed at half strength from early spring through summer.

Transitioning Portulaca Back Outside Next Season

Begin transitioning overwintered portulaca plants outdoors in spring after the last expected frost. Place pots in a sheltered shady spot for the first few days. Gradually introduce them to longer periods of sun over a week or two to re-acclimate them.

Prune plants back by one third to one half their size and repot into fresh potting soil, going up one pot size if roots are crowded. Transplant back into hanging baskets once nighttime temperatures remain above 55 degrees F, spacing plants 8-12 inches apart. Water thoroughly and begin regular liquid feeding once plants resume active growth.

Tips for Stunning Hanging Portulaca Displays

Follow these simple tips for stunning displays of portulaca dripping from hanging baskets:

Combine Colors and Flower Forms

For maximum impact, plant a mix of portulaca varieties featuring different colors and single to double blooms. Contrasting flower forms and hues will pop against one another. Include trailing types along with more mounding plants for dimension and fullness.

Go Big with Basket Size

Don’t skimp on basket dimensions expecting portulaca to eventually fill in. Start with at least a 12-14” diameter basket. Plant multiple portulaca seedlings spaced evenly around the basket for immediate fullness after bloom.

Use Supportive Hangers

Avoid weak slender hanging chains and wires that will bend under the weight of larger baskets. Select strong metal hanging rods or braided nylon supports designed to handle robust containers.

Fertilize Regularly

Feed plants every 2-3 weeks with a water soluble fertilizer made for flowers or vegetables to fuel steady growth and flowering. Look for formulas higher in phosphorus to support prolific blooms.

Prune Back Stems

Pinch off or snip away spent flowers stems and any overly long trailing branches. Pruning keeps plants full and compact while encouraging branching and additional buds further down the stems.

With their brilliant colors, profuse blooms, and cascading habit, portulaca varieties are perfect for decorating outdoor living spaces in hanging baskets. Their low maintenance, heat tolerance, and drought resistance make them one of the easiest flowers you can grow. Follow these tips for stunning hanging basket displays bursting with colorful moss rose flowers.

FAQs

What is the best soil mix for portulaca hanging baskets?

Use a lightweight potting mix formulated especially for containers and hanging baskets. Look for mixes containing peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and coconut coir to retain moisture while allowing good drainage.

How often should I water hanging portulaca?

After initial establishment, allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Water whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry. Take care not to overwater as too much moisture will cause root rot.

What is the proper sunlight for portulaca?

Portulaca thrives best in full sun. Choose a location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Hanging them where they will capture morning sunlight ensures foliage doesn’t shade out the soil.

Should I deadhead spent portulaca flowers?

Yes, pinch or snip off faded flowers to promote continuous blooming throughout summer. Deadheading spent blossoms encourages branching and directs energy into developing fresh buds further down the stems.