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Purslane variety
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Golden

Herb
50 days to harvest
Full sun

Also known as: Goldberg

What's special about Golden

Upright cultivar with chartreuse-gold succulent leaves. Milder, larger, and easier to harvest than wild green.

Growing this variety

Golden follows the same growing basics as Purslane. Variety-specific maturity above; everything else below applies to the whole Purslane family.

Season
Warm season — annual
USDA zones
Annual in all zones; loves heat
Sun
Full sun
Start indoors
Not needed — direct sow
Direct sow outdoors
After last frost, soil ≥ 70°F
Days to harvest
50 days

Germination

Germination time
7–14 days
Soil temperature
70–90°F (21–32°C)

Spacing & depth

Sow depth
Surface — needs light
Seed spacing
Sow thinly; thin to 4–6 in
Mature plant spacing
6–8 in (15–20 cm)
Row spacing
12 in (30 cm)

How to plant

Sprinkle the tiny seed on the surface of warm, moist soil — do not cover. Water gently to settle. Once established, purslane is essentially maintenance-free and drought-proof. Cut stems 2 in above the crown and they'll regrow for multiple harvests.

Grower's tip

Highest omega-3 content of any leafy vegetable. Lemony, succulent leaves — great raw in salads or wilted like spinach. The wild green form is a common garden weed; cultivated forms are larger and more upright.

Soil preferences

Soil type

Light, well-drained loam. Most culinary herbs suffer in soggy soil.

pH range

6.0–7.5 (neutral)

Amendments

A single fork of finished compost at planting is plenty — over-feeding weakens flavor.

Watering

Frequency

Consistent moisture while young; let the top inch dry between waterings once established.

Method

Water at the base in the morning to keep leaves dry and prevent mildew.

Over vs. under

Overwatered: yellow lower leaves, damp-smelling soil, wilt that doesn't rebound. Underwatered: crispy tips, purple stems, sudden bolting.

Top-water or bottom-water?

Either works — Bottom-water seedlings and potted herbs (set the pot in a tray of water 10–15 min, then drain). Once established, top-water at the soil line. Keep foliage dry on Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender, oregano) to prevent mildew.

Temperature tolerance

Ideal daytime air temp

65–85°F (18–29°C) ideal

Ideal nighttime air temp

55–65°F (13–18°C)

Frost sensitivity

Most annual herbs are frost-tender; perennial herbs (sage, thyme, oregano, mint) tolerate frost once established.

Container growing

Container-suitable?

Yes — great in containers

Recommended pot size

6–10 in (15–25 cm) wide, minimum 6 in deep

Notes

Herbs thrive in pots — group by water needs (Mediterranean herbs on the drier side, basil/parsley/cilantro on the wetter).

Succession planting

Sow leafy herbs (basil, cilantro, dill, parsley) every 3–4 weeks for a steady supply.

Detailed harvesting

Pinch or snip stems just above a leaf pair — never strip a plant of more than one third at a time. Harvest before flowering for peak flavor.

Post-harvest storage & preservation

Air-dry small bundles upside-down in a dark airy spot, or freeze chopped in olive oil in ice-cube trays. Store dried leaves whole in a jar; crush just before use.

Culinary, medicinal & other uses

Culinary flavoring — fresh in salads and finishing, dried in slow cooks and rubs. Many herbs (basil, mint, chamomile) also infuse oils, vinegars, or teas.

Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.

Seed saving

Pollination

Mostly insect-pollinated; some (basil, mint) self-pollinate.

Isolation needs

Isolate different varieties of the same species by 150 ft or cage/bag flower heads to keep strains true.

How to save

Let one plant flower fully; harvest brown, dry seed heads into a paper bag; rub free and store dry.

Your zone's planting calendar

Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for purslane in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.

My Golden Purslane notes

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Golden Purslane seeds on hand

Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.

Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.

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From your kitchen — grow purslane from what you already have

Most annual and biennial herbs give seed if you stop harvesting one plant and let it flower.

  1. 1Choose your best-flavored, latest-to-bolt plant to be the seed parent.
  2. 2Let it flower, then wait for the seed heads to dry brown and papery on the plant.
  3. 3Cut whole stems into a paper bag before they shatter.
  4. 4Rub or crumble the heads to release seed; sieve out the chaff and store dry in an envelope.

Storage: Most herb seed stays viable 2–4 years dry.

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