Winter Purslane [Claytonia perfoliata]

The annual winter purslane is a fast-growing old winter lettuce that is used as a food and medicinal plant. Thick fleshy leaves have a fresh and mild nutty taste, the buds have a water chestnut aroma. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-autumn-winter, good for mixed culture, harvesting the buds and leaves.

 Description 
Winter purslane is an annual winter lettuce that comes from the west coast of North America. It was already used as a food and medicinal plant by Native Americans in the time of Christopher Columbus. The leaves are thick and fleshy and can be eaten freshly harvested together with flowers and stems as a salad or briefly blanched as spinach. The closed buds can be pickled like capers or the roots can be briefly boiled in water, which creates an aroma similar to that of water chestnuts. The taste is fresh and mildly nutty. This variety can be harvested continuously, even in the depths of winter. As a medicinal herb, purslane has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and helps with heartburn and stomach inflammation. It can also be used as green manure.

 General information 
Plant family: Montiaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 40 days
Plant height approx.: 25 cm
Root type: Shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -20°C
Location: Semi shady until shady
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light and cold germinator
Sowing depth: 0-0.5 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 8-12 °C
Germination time: 4-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 5x15 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 4-5 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing is recommended from January to March or in autumn from October to December. The ideal location for the plants is partial shade to shade.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing is recommended from January to April or in autumn from September to December. The ideal location for the plants is partial shade.

 General recommendations 
Requires cool temperatures of around 0 °C for 2 weeks to germinate. Direct sowing in cool temperatures or in autumn when temperatures drop is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Winter purslane does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Only germinates successfully at temperatures below 15°C; artificial stratification is recommended under unfavourable conditions. For a longer harvest period, care should be taken when harvesting to ensure that the basal leaves remain on the stem. Purslane prefers cooler and moist climates. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Regular watering is necessary for stable growth. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Claytonia perfoliata, Montia perfoliata
English names: Winter purslane, Miner's lettuce
German names: Postelein, Winterportulak, Tellerkraut, Kubaspinat
Portuguese names: Beldroega de inverno
Spanish names: Verdolaga de invierno
French names: Pourpier d'hiver

 Origin 
Country: Germany