Moss Rose

Portulaca grandiflora

Family: PortulacaceaeOrigin: Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay

Succulent Annual
Heat and Drought Tolerant

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

People: not researched yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA's page for the same-genus relative Portulaca oleracea lists soluble calcium oxalate poisoning, with kidney failure (rare in dogs and cats), tremors and salivation. NC State Extension's page for this exact species (P. grandiflora) gives no pet toxicity information either way, so treat it with caution.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for ASPCA's own 'Moss Rose' page (Portulaca oleracea, common purslane), a related but different species from PlotAndPetal's ornamental Portulaca grandiflora. To tell them apart: Same genus, different species: no visual cue independently confirmed beyond the botanical name; ASPCA's page uses the exact common name 'Moss Rose' for the other species, which is confusing but documented.. Treat it with caution, as its relative is listed as toxic.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Grown as an annual in all US zones (NC State Extension)
Mature size: Space plants 12 in to 3 ft apart; low, spreading habit.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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