{"product_id":"green-purslane-heirloom-seeds","title":"Green Purslane, Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCommon Green Purslane — The Highest Omega-3 Leafy Vegetable on the Planet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommon Purslane (\u003cem\u003ePortulaca oleracea sativa\u003c\/em\u003e) is considered one of the most nutritious foods on the planet — and one of the most underappreciated greens in the Western garden. Fresh leaves contain more omega-3 fatty acids (α-linolenic acid) than any other leafy vegetable, making purslane a true nutritional powerhouse. Rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamins A, B, and C, and antioxidants, it is thought to be an essential component of the Cretan diet — one of the world's highest life-expectancy diets. Plants look like baby jade plants, with flat-spreading stems that radiate from a single taproot, sometimes forming beautiful mats of succulent leaves. The flavor is crunchy and slightly lemony — similar to watercress or spinach — and the high pectin content naturally thickens soups and stews. 40–60 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePet warning:\u003c\/strong\u003e While purslane is highly beneficial for humans, it contains soluble calcium oxalates, which can be toxic to pets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Common Purslane?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHighest omega-3 of any leafy vegetable\u003c\/strong\u003e — more α-linolenic acid than any other green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNutritional powerhouse\u003c\/strong\u003e — calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamins A\/B\/C \u0026amp; antioxidants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCretan diet staple\u003c\/strong\u003e — linked to one of the world's highest life-expectancy diets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrunchy, lemony flavor\u003c\/strong\u003e — excellent substitute for spinach or watercress\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile in the kitchen\u003c\/strong\u003e — raw in salads, steamed, stir-fried \u0026amp; thickens soups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to grow\u003c\/strong\u003e — fast, low-maintenance annual green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Grow Common Purslane\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperatures have reached at least 60°F (ideally 70–80°F). Purslane is a warm-season annual that thrives in summer heat — cold soil will delay or prevent germination. For a continuous harvest, sow in succession every 2–3 weeks through midsummer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Site Preparation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurslane is remarkably unfussy. It grows well in average to poor, well-drained soils and actually prefers lean conditions — rich, heavily amended soil encourages lush but less flavorful growth. Choose a spot in full sun to part shade. Loosen the top inch of soil and rake it smooth before sowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSowing Seeds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScatter seeds directly on the prepared soil surface and press lightly into contact with the soil — do \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e cover with soil, as purslane seeds require light to germinate. Water gently with a fine mist to avoid displacing seeds. Keep the surface consistently moist until germination, which typically occurs in 7–14 days at optimal temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThinning \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce seedlings are 1–2 inches tall, thin to 6 inches apart to allow plants to spread and form their characteristic low mats. Thinnings are edible — add them directly to salads. In square-foot gardening, plant 4 per square foot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWatering \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce established, purslane is highly drought-tolerant thanks to its succulent stems and leaves. Water deeply but infrequently — overwatering is the most common mistake. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. No fertilizing is needed; excess nitrogen produces rank growth with diminished flavor. Purslane requires virtually no maintenance once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHarvesting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBegin harvesting young leaves and stem tips at 40–60 days, or whenever plants are 4–6 inches tall. Use scissors or pinch stems just above a leaf node — plants will branch and regrow vigorously. Harvest in the morning for the best flavor and texture. Regular picking is essential: it delays flowering and keeps plants productive. Once plants bolt and flower, leaves become smaller and slightly more bitter, though still edible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSaving Seeds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllow a few plants to flower and set seed. Seed capsules are tiny and split open when ripe — collect them by cutting the stems and shaking them into a paper bag. Seeds remain viable for 3–5 years when stored cool and dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePest \u0026amp; Disease Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurslane has virtually no serious pest or disease problems. Its succulent nature makes it unappealing to most insects. Slugs may occasionally feed on seedlings in wet conditions — reduce moisture and use diatomaceous earth if needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–60 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination Temp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60–80°F (soil)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–14 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSurface sow — needs light to germinate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 inches apart \/ 4 per sq. ft.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrought-tolerant once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrunchy \u0026amp; slightly lemony\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNutrition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHighest omega-3 of any leafy vegetable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaw salads, steamed, stir-fried \u0026amp; soups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePet Warning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContains calcium oxalates — toxic to pets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003ePortulaca oleracea sativa\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden's success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"0.02 g ~500+ Seeds","offer_id":41712271687814,"sku":"97-1021-26+","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/9619204d4975a99b904e0a6876638bc638c45088.jpg?v=1782575861","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/green-purslane-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}