Skip to Content

Scientific Name: Portulaca oleracea

Common Names: Pigweed, Hogweed, Verdologa

Family: Portulacaceae

Brief Description: Edible broadleaf weed with thick, dark green tongue-like leaves and a small yellow flower in the center.

Related Weeds:

  • Redmaids
  • Miner’s Lettuce

What is Purslane?

Purslane is a surprisingly popular edible vegetable that, unfortunately, seems to invade and ruin lawns. Their leaves have almost no stalks, and are considered an elongated egg shape. The yellow flower is very small and contains tiny yellow pedals that go around the flower in a two by two pattern.

Purslane doesn’t spread as quickly as other broadleaf weeds, but it is very hardy. It grows well under loose, healthy soil, but also responds well to compacted soil.

How to Prevent Purslane

Purslane prevention is the key to keeping it away from your lawn. Purslane is very effective at spreading its seeds. It produces a significant number of seeds and they spread easily from one area to another. It’s recommended that if you mow any area that has purslane, you clean your mower before mowing other areas of your lawn, and if you see any purslane growing you pull it out quickly before the seeds have a chance to spread.

If your lawn has already been infected with purslane, contact Green Lawn Fertilizing today. We have broadleaf weed control services that are proven to help you regain your lush, green lawn again. Call us now.

Need Help with Purslane?

Call today at and let's talk about how we can help you with Purslane and other Lawn Weed Library.

Call Now 888-581-5296