Winter Purslane (Miner's Lettuce), Heirloom Seeds

Winter Purslane (Miner's Lettuce), Heirloom Seeds — The Gold Rush Superfood That Saved Miners From Scurvy

Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) — also known as Winter Purslane, Indian Lettuce, and Wood Elf Greens — is the West Coast native that saved Gold Rush miners from scurvy and has recently found its rightful place in the gourmet greens world. Succulent, mild-tasting leaves with a texture not unlike spinach are highly succulent and melt-in-your-mouth raw — one of the most delicate and satisfying salad greens you can grow. Claytonia stands up to boiling or sautéing as well, making it an excellent spinach substitute. Appears abundantly in early spring, when its charming round leaves also make a beautiful ground cover in the garden.

Why Grow Winter Purslane?

• The Gold Rush superfood — saved miners from scurvy, rich in vitamin C
• Melt-in-your-mouth texture — one of the most delicate salad greens available
• Mild, succulent flavor — similar to spinach, excellent raw or cooked
• Early spring performer — one of the first greens of the season
• Beautiful ground cover — charming round leaves in the spring garden
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Growing Notes

Direct sow outdoors in early spring or fall in full sun to part shade. Sow seeds thinly on the surface or barely cover. Keep soil consistently moist. Thin to 6 plants per square foot. Harvest leaves as needed. Self-sows freely once established — a reliable spring returner.

Packet size: 0.2 mg / 200+ seeds
Type: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated, Annual
Spacing: 6 plants per sq ft
Sun: Full sun to part shade
USDA Zones: 3–12