Portulaca molokiniensis

Highlights

Portulaca molokiniensis (Hobdy): A distinctive stemmed succulent with fantastic foliage. This species has round, cupped leaves of bright green that stack up on robust stems. It is endemic to Hawaii where it's known as 'Ihi. In the wild it can branch profusely into a small shrub, but it will stay small potted indoors. It can send up tall bloom stalks with small, cupped yellow flowers.

Soft succulents will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures they can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. They need bright sunlight, great drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 50% to 70% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply enough for water to run out the drainage hole, then wait for the soil to fully dry before watering again.

Product Size

2.0" Pot

Current Primary Color

Green

Bloom Color

Yellow Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Filtered / Partial Sun

Maximum Height

9"-12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Vertical Grower / Tall Stem

Special Characteristic

Easy to Propagate

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

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Popular Questions

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3 years ago

does this ones leaves turn white to make it look like it has a flower portulaca molokiniensis See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

This plant doesn't do that. It just blooms either white or yellow.

The variegated version of this plant can look like that but we only have the plain version. See full answer »

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2 years ago

Should the Portulaca molokiniensis lean as it grows? See answer

One of mine is about 7" tall and leaning something fierce. I rotated it to keep the leaning side away from the sun, but it doesn't right itself to lean back towards the sun.

I have it in Bonsai Jack's Gritty Mix, and I water it maybe one a week or so. It sits directly in a south-facing window, no obstructions outside the window either. There's new growth at the top of the leaning stem. There is also some new growth at the base of the leaning stem. See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Some leaning and sprawling can happen on healthy, mature specimens as they branch, as seen in the picture at the bottom of this Llifle entry. But leaning can also happen when it's not getting enough sun and it stretches. If you bought it from us, we're happy to take a look at it and tell you which it is. Photos can be emailed to info@mountaincrestgardens.com
Source: http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SU... See full answer »

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1 year ago

Is this pet safe ? See answer

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

Portulaca is not considered pet safe. It's mildly toxic to cats, dogs and even horses. See full answer »

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1 year ago

How fast can they grow? See answer

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

This plant tends to be a fast grower, but how fast exactly varies with care. See full answer »

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2 years ago

how do you propagate the portulaca molokiniesis See answer

interested in the portulaca but need to know how to propagate first See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Propagating Portulaca molokiniensis is done primarily though stem cuttings. You can learn about taking and planting stem cuttings at the link below.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/faqs... See full answer »

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2 years ago

I’ve had this plant since Dec 2021 and it is growing well but I have had no success with blooms? See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Portulaca molokiniensis is a fussy bloomer and it may need care beyond it's normal needs to get it to do so.

Be sure the plant is getting full sun. This is, at least, six hours of light. It will not bloom without that condition being met.

If it is getting full sun and it's still not blooming, try a fertilizer. Be sure to use a fertilizer designed for succulents, or use a balanced fertilizer diluted to 1/2 or 1/4 strength. See full answer »

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3 years ago

Do these have a bloom either white or yellow See answer

I’ve seen them on another site and they have a white bloom See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

There is some variation with the bloom color. The most common flower color is yellow, but it can be white too. Then, even among the yellow blooming plants, there is variation in the shade of yellow. In all likelihood, the P. molokiniensis plants we sell have yellow blooms. See full answer »

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1 year ago

I believe I got this as a 'mystery" however, the leaves turn white and fall off. See answer

Also, it has new growth coming out from what I think is the roots but they are growing, just dormant. What can I do or not do to help this plant along? See more »

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

The lower leaves of this plant naturally turn white and fall off. This happens to help preserve energy for the upper leaves, which get more light. The new growths around the base of the plant are likely offsets and they're kept dormant by, what's called, apical dominance. Apical dominance occurs when the tip of the plant uses hormones to suppress branching. Slowly increasing the amount of light your plant receives may help break apical dominance. Cutting the tip of the plant off will surely encourage branching, but it may not look good either. It will be a matter of personal preference.

Please note, you can always email us (info@mountaincrestgardens.com) clear pictures of your plant and we can give you more specified care tips and diagnose problems. See full answer »

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4 months ago

In Zone in Texas. Where in house to put plant in winter. We are having hot to cold temps right now See answer

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4 months ago  •  Staff Answer

Ideally, it should be in an unobstructed south facing window. However, an east or west facing window will work as well. See full answer »

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3 years ago

What does limited and exclusive mean? See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Hi there!

The limited tag just means that we don't have a whole lot of that plant, and propagating it takes a lot of time. Plants with the limited tag can only be ordered once per order. In other words, you can only order one of them at a time.

The exclusive tag means that we're the only major outfit that sells that particular plant. You may be able to find an Etsy or Ebay listing, but no major nurseries are selling it, with the exception of us. These plants are rare, and typically exciting, but they're going to be a bit pricey.

I hope this all helps! See full answer »

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