If this plant pops up in your garden, don’t pull it out—you may actually want to thank it 🌱
The plant most gardeners mistake for a weed (but really shouldn’t) is purslane.
Never Uproot This Plant: Purslane
What It Looks Like
- Low-growing, spreading plant
- Thick, juicy stems
- Small oval leaves (almost succulent-like)
- Tiny yellow flowers in warm weather
Most people yank it immediately—big mistake.
Why Purslane Is a Garden Hero
🌿 1. It’s One of the Most Nutritious Plants on Earth
Purslane is:
- High in omega-3 fatty acids (more than most leafy greens)
- Rich in vitamins A, C, and E
- Packed with magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants
It’s considered a superfood in many cultures.
🌱 2. It Improves Your Soil
Purslane:
- Acts as a living mulch, protecting soil from drying out
- Pulls nutrients up from deep soil layers
- Prevents erosion and compaction
When cut back, it naturally feeds the soil.
🐝 3. Pollinators Love It
Its small flowers attract:
- Bees
- Beneficial insects
That means better pollination for nearby vegetables.
🌞 4. It Thrives Where Other Plants Struggle
Purslane grows in:
- Poor soil
- Heat
- Drought
That’s nature’s way of saying: this spot needs ground cover.
How to Use It (Instead of Fighting It)
- ✂️ Trim it, don’t uproot
- 🥗 Eat young leaves raw in salads (slightly lemony crunch)
- 🍳 Sauté like spinach
- 🌱 Let it grow between plants as natural mulch
⚠️ Tip: Harvest before it sets seed if you want to control spread.
Why Gardeners Regret Pulling It
Once you remove purslane:
- Soil dries out faster
- Weeds return more aggressively
- You lose a free, nutritious plant
Many experienced gardeners actually encourage it.
If you want, I can also tell you:
- Another “weed” that improves soil
- How to identify purslane vs. look-alikes
- Which volunteer plants you should remove immediately
Just let me know 🌿
