How Long Does Purslane Take to Grow? (Microgreens & Mature Plant Timelines)

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is one of the easiest and fastest edible greens you can grow — whether you’re cultivating it as microgreens indoors or letting it reach full maturity outdoors. This succulent plant thrives in heat, poor soil, and drought, making it a true survivor. But just how long does purslane take to grow? Let’s look at the exact timelines and what factors influence its growth rate.

🌿 The Short Answer

Purslane germinates quickly, often within 3–5 days, and can reach microgreen harvest size in about 7–14 days. If you’re growing it outdoors to maturity, it typically reaches full size in 6–8 weeks, though you can begin harvesting tender leaves much sooner.

So in short:

• 🪴 Microgreens: 7 – 14 days

• 🌾 Mature plant (garden purslane): 6 – 8 weeks

• ☀️ Time to first harvest: as early as 3 weeks after sprouting

🌱 Purslane Growth Stages

1. Germination (3 – 5 days)Purslane seeds are tiny and need light to sprout — do not bury them deeply. Simply press them onto moist soil or coco coir and keep them warm (70–90 °F).

2. Seedling (5 – 10 days)Small cotyledons appear first, followed by round, succulent leaves. This is when microgreens growers start monitoring density and moisture closely.

3. Early Growth (10 – 21 days)Plants expand rapidly under warmth and sun. For microgreens, this is the harvest window — when the stems are crisp and leaves tender.

4. Vegetative (3 – 6 weeks)In garden beds or containers, the plants thicken into spreading mats. You can begin light harvesting by snipping the tips, encouraging more growth.

5. Mature / Flowering (6 – 8 weeks)Purslane produces yellow flowers and tiny seed pods, ensuring future crops. At this stage, leaves are still edible but slightly thicker and earthier in taste.

🪴 How Long Purslane Microgreens Take to Grow

If you’re growing purslane microgreens indoors, here’s the typical timeline:

Stage	Days After Seeding	Notes
Germination	3 – 5 days	Keep tray covered for humidity.
True Leaves	6 – 8 days	Uncover for light; stems thicken.
Harvest Window	10 – 14 days	Crisp, lemony microgreens ready to cut.

Temperature: 75–85 °F (24–29 °C) is ideal. Light: 12–16 hours daily. Medium: Coco coir, hemp mat, or fine potting mix. Tip: Don’t over-water — purslane prefers dry feet even as a microgreen.

🌾 How Long It Takes to Grow Mature Purslane Outdoors

For full-grown garden purslane, you’re looking at roughly 6–8 weeks from seed to maturity.

• Germination: 3–7 days in warm soil (above 70 °F).

• First harvest: around 3 weeks after sprouting (when stems are 3–4 inches tall).

• Full plant maturity: 6–8 weeks, with ongoing harvest possible for months.

In ideal conditions, purslane self-sows — meaning once you grow it, it often returns year after year without replanting.

🌤 Factors That Affect Growth Speed

1. Temperature: Purslane thrives in hot weather (70–100 °F). Cooler temps slow it down dramatically.

2. Sunlight: Full sun = faster, thicker growth. At least 6 hours daily.

3. Soil Type: It actually prefers poor, sandy, or rocky soil — too much nitrogen leads to watery growth.

4. Watering: Drought-tolerant. Let the soil dry between watering to prevent rot.

5. Harvesting: Frequent trimming encourages branching and regrowth, keeping leaves tender.

💡 Tips for Faster, Healthier Growth

• Soak seeds for 6–8 hours before sowing to speed germination.

• Surface-sow — the seeds need light to sprout.

• Thin seedlings to give each plant room to spread.

• Harvest often: cutting encourages dense mats of regrowth.

• Let a few flower if you want free reseeding next season.

🧭 Summary: Purslane’s Growth Timeline

Growth Type	Germination	First Harvest	Full Maturity
Microgreens	3 – 5 days	10 – 14 days	—
Garden Plants	3 – 7 days	~3 weeks	6 – 8 weeks

Purslane is one of the fastest-growing edible greens — from seed to salad in barely two weeks, and to a full, sprawling plant in less than two months.

📚 Citations & Sources

1. University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension – “Common Purslane, Portulaca oleracea.” hort.extension.wisc.edu

2. Missouri Department of Conservation – “Common Purslane | Field Guide.” mdc.mo.gov

3. Johnny’s Selected Seeds – “Purslane Cultural Information.” johnnyseeds.com

4. The Spruce Eats – “What Is Purslane and How to Grow It.” thespruceeats.com

5. Fine Gardening – “Growing Purslane in the Home Garden.” finegardening.com

6. Gardening Know How – “Tips for Growing Purslane Plants.” gardeningknowhow.com