The Annoying Weed You Should Actually Keep Alive In Your Lawn

Bring up the word "weed" to any gardener, and you're bound to get a reaction. Weeds have earned a bad reputation, but not all of them deserve a grimace. Common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is one of the few that should not be pulled without a second thought. This hardy annual earns its place in your lawn thanks to the way it grows: saving soil, giving support to surrounding plants, and quietly helping out in other ways.

A member of the Portulacaceae family, common purslane is easy to spot once you know what you're looking for. Early in the morning, its tiny yellow flowers pop open, only to close again shortly after. Its sturdy, succulent stems stretch in every direction, green to reddish-brown in color, forming wide mats that blanket the soil. You won't miss this annual's oval-shaped reddish leaves, which gather in clusters where the stems branch and at the tips.

Common purslane's eye-catching mat isn't just for show. Acting like a low-growing ground cover, it helps hold in moisture, keeps the soil cooler, and protects it from drying out. It shields bare soil while crowding out more aggressive weeds. While some weeds attract pests to your yard, this one does not. And if you're wondering about eating it, common purslane has been prized for ages as a leafy green packed with omega-3s and vitamins (be careful when eating seeds, as they can be toxic if overconsumed). Though it's not a super pollinator magnet, the weed does attract its share of bees, making this little rain-tolerant ground cover worth keeping.

A weed with western Asia and Mediterranean origins, common purslane has made itself at home across North America. It's so tough, it thrives where many other plants would struggle. Clay, sand, or shallow rocky soil, it doesn't care. Add acidic to neutral soil, and you've got one happy weed. Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11, this tough little survivor can shine, whether your summer comes on strong or barely shows up.

If this ground cover isn't lounging in or around your lawn, it's actually easy to grow. First, find a spot that gets full sun or a ton of heat. To manage spreading, plant it about 8 to 10 inches apart and throw mulch around the base. Water occasionally during dry spells; this drought-tolerant annual won't need constant attention. It will, however, appreciate a little pruning now and then. Snip any unruly stems to keep your plant healthy.

There are a few things to watch out for. It contains soluble calcium oxalates that can be poisonous to pets and horses (and even to humans if overindulged, so no binge-eating the seeds). If unmonitored, it can become invasive, so remove any foliage that's growing out of control. With that in mind, you can successfully grow and care for your portulaca plant right in your lawn.