Cistanthe (Calandrinia) grandiflora - Rock Purslane

Cistanthe (Calandrinia) grandiflora - Rock Purslane is a plant with a unique poppy-like,fuchsia colored flower and is one of the more cold hardy succulents I have found. For more, please watch the video. For more information on many types of plants and using them in design please visit www.designwitihplants.com

[@bluzelovr]

Nice commentary Jeff, I appreciate the information. I live here in Southern California and am a landscape designer and rapidly becoming a "succulent junkie"!~ I think this plant does great down here as well.

[@angiemaly1460]

I realize this is an old post, but I'll add anyway. I live just north of Cincinnati, zone 6. I just purchased this plant on clearance from Lowe's. I realize I'll have to overwinter indoors with many of my other tender succulent. I was excited to discover this plant because it closely resembles Talinum Rugospermum, aka: Missouri Rock Rose. The bloom and stem are almost identical in color and form. The plant only grows 8" tall however. Talinum Rugospermum was sold to me as a tender succulent which I would have to bring in each winter. It spread so fast, after giving several pot away, we left a pot out for the winter. In early spring, the pot burst into full growth and bloomed profusely for most of the summer. It appears both plants are in the portulaca/purslane family.

[@BayouChicGardening]

I love this plant.

[@rosemarywaldie4958]

Thank you👌

[@jenc.1433]

Mine are on year 2, and one of the largest seems to be separating from the center. Not pretty:( Should I take it out and plant another one, or trim it back? Thank you! Yours are beautiful!

[@denisevaldez]

Hi Jeff very good information thank you so much. I have this plant in my front yard Next to my driveway. I am in Northern California Central Valley near Lodi. however the plant has been spreading and it's getting a little out of hand do you have any tips on how to propagate it ? should I cut it back and if so how would I do that?

[@Mrjeffwortham]

I just did that to mine for the same reason about 2 months ago and it has pushed out some new growth. I don't like the idea of doing it going into winter though. If you can wait until March when frost has passed I would do that. You can be pretty aggressive, cutting it back to within 6-12" from center and the chunky inner stems, they will resprout new growth. I don't know about propagation, but most succulents are real easy, just try sticking a stem you cut off that has a stem that is slightly callused, not too new. You can find better guidance by googling how to propagate succulents. Good luck!

[@r.report4525]

Now that its hot in northern cali mine are pink and yellowish there in full sun i use to water them one time every two weeks and the people at cactus jungle nursery said water one time aweek but ive seen no results maybe two times aweek the soil is bone dry between watering?

[@elaines4245]

New subscriber- and I agree, very enjoyable commentary. My question: Can calandrinia thrive in a container? No yard here, but a veranda with lots of sun in SoCal. area. Any tips on planting and care would be wonderful. Many thanks.

[@Slowrolling92]

Yea it can I have one in the planter and it’s doing great I used a cactus mix soil.

[@earth7451]

I just planted a small calandrinia in San Francisco (June 2017) and they are just the cactus. Would you please tell me how long will take to see the flowering stems?

[@bhaggen]

These things are great. Planted some ½gal plants in late summer, it got down to low 30s during winter and it didn't phase em a bit. Now it's spring, they're 3 feet wide & blooming like crazy. Do they propagate from cuttings?

[@sallyb4567]

bhaggen Yes! So easy to propagate. When I planted mine, some pieces broke off. I just buried the ends in another part of our yard and it’s a full grown plant several months later. Love this! Free plants - share with friends.

[@raphaelnoz8321]

I am considering adding this to a small curbside plot, but don't want it to take over. Any suggestions? Have you ever tried sinking a pot in the ground and planting it in that?

[@planestrainsdogsncars4336]

SIS-TANTH-THEE I believe.

[@kelleymacdonald5318]

What is the difference between this and Calandrinia spectabilis?

[@brubinstein1]

Just got some of this in a planter on my balcony. I have 2 questions. It looks like it's stopped blooming for the year, as all the buds have already bloomed (August 25). Is there anything I can do to get it to bloom again before the Spring? Should I cut off the flowering stems? Some of the leaves are getting a bit limp & yellowish. Am I over watering? The soil is dry, but I do water it about 3 times a week. I'm in Los Angeles and it's been quite hot. Thank you!

[@Mrjeffwortham]

Yes, dead head the stalks as soon as they are done, take them to the base of the plant. Mine did a spring bloom, huge bloom, lasted 2-3 months, dead headed them. They are setting buds and blooming again now, not as heavy. A lot of perennials bloom in response to the length of day if the weather is right and so a Spring bloomer may try again in fall.

[@brubinstein1]

Great, thank you! What about the watering situation? If some leaves are getting limp and yellow-ish, is that over-watering? Everything I read said the symptom of succulents when watering is they get swollen, not limp. They're in a pot and I water lightly about 2-3x/week.

[@bhaggen]

Ben,..... You are like W-A-Y overwatering.....AND you forgot to call your mother. LOL

[@lanamiu566]

Some of the leaves have red edges, can you tell me what is causing that? Also, the deer have been attacking them, all the flowers are gone and they are now going after the leaves. How well does this plant handle the deer attack. I am in Lafayette, CA, not far from Pleasanton, please help. Thanks

[@Pavazamalli]

+Lana Miu I have noticed the red edges on leaves happening for two reasons. If it gets too cold and if it is not fertilized. A small amount of slow release fertilizer pellets should fix that.

[@dambykoz]

by mistake my gardener cut the flowering stalks in the winter and they have not grown back. Will they?

[@Mrjeffwortham]

Yes, they will grow back. Depends on where you are, but in our area I believe this is a very strong bloomer in Spring and Summer. Mine generated bloom stocks very quickly when it was time to bloom.

[@conguera]

You mention that most succulents like full sun. That would depend upon where you live, wouldn't it? Because common understanding is that most (not all) succulents need protection from intense summer sun. Many of them would be damaged by being in full sun.

[@bhaggen]

Why is this plant listed as "half-hardy"?

[@Mrjeffwortham]

Because of the range of hardiness. Like lots of succulents, it is hardy, but only to a point. We got down to about 25F last winter and mine handled it fine. That said, it was for short period two nights. If you were to get much lower and it was repeated over more time you would likely lose the plant.

[@bhaggen]

@Jeff Wortham.....I'm in a zone 9 & it RARELY gets below 30°F on a clear nite. But like you, I see 100°F+ during a heat-wave in the summer. Do these propagate from cuttings?

[@faithman1000]

Can you eat it????

[@blueiris191]

YEEES! I use purslane in Salads, veggie omelette and for juicing ,etc. PLEASE google 10 Amazing benefits of purslane- Your body will thank you

[@jennystevens1605]

@@blueiris191 hi there, just to double check..so rock purslane is edible? Have you ever ate it?

[@blueiris191]

Purslane is also A GREAT vegetable - PLEASE google "10 Amazing benefits of purslane " - Your body will thank you

[@aggabus]

Deer dislike?