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Common Purslane

Portulaca oleracea

Last reviewed: August 2026

Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
Photo: (c) Charla, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Charla

Common Purslane is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Is Purslane Toxic to Dogs? covers the symptoms, what to do after exposure, and safe native swaps.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

3"–12" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Native alternatives to Common Purslane

Common Purslane is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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Common purslane is a low-growing succulent annual with small, fleshy paddle-shaped leaves and tiny yellow flowers. This hardy plant spreads along the ground forming a dense mat and tolerates drought well once established. It grows quickly during summer months and dies back with the first frost.

In an HOA neighborhood

Common Purslane takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Widely considered a weed by most homeowners
  • Aggressive self-seeding can spread to neighbors' yards
  • Low, sprawling growth looks informal and weedy

Wildlife value

The small yellow flowers attract bees and beneficial beetles during the long summer blooming period. Seeds provide food for ground-feeding birds and small wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Common Purslane need?
Common Purslane grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Common Purslane bloom?
Common Purslane blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Is Common Purslane toxic to dogs?
Yes. Common Purslane is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Common Purslane toxic to cats?
Yes. Common Purslane is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
What pollinators does Common Purslane attract?
Common Purslane draws bees and beetles.
Is Common Purslane HOA-friendly?
Common Purslane takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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