Sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Sea purslane on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Sea purslane
Sesuvium portulacastrum, also known as toroariki or po’ea, is a succulent halophytic, creeping perennial plant that forms dense green or reddish mats with small pink or purple flowers. Its fleshy stems and elliptical leaves make it ideal for ground cover in coastal gardens, rockeries, or as a hanging plant in warm climates. It's perfect for stabilizing dunes or beautifying areas with high salinity and low water availability.
Native range
Coastal tropical and subtropical regions of America, Africa, and Asia.
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal growth and abundant flowering; it tolerates partial shade but will bloom less. It is extremely drought and salt tolerant, so watering should be minimal, only when the substrate is completely dry. It prefers sandy, well-drained, and nutrient-poor soils, adapting well to saline soils. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Sea purslane
- Warning signs
- Wilted, soft, or yellowing leaves, limp stems. Discoloration from green to brown.
- First aid
- Move to partial shade, water moderately if soil is dry. Check drainage.
- What kills it
- Overwatering leading to root rot or extreme lack of light. Does not tolerate cold.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and healthy stems remain for propagation.