Zaleya pentandra

African purslane is a sun-loving perennial herbaceous plant native to open habitats and commonly found in meadows and grasslands. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial sun.

African purslane comes from tropical areas where the climate is generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is adapted to high heat and moisture. It is sensitive to sudden temperature shifts and prefers a steady thermal environment, so indoor temperature fluctuations should be avoided. It typically does not tolerate cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If temperatures fall too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

African purslane will need the most fertilizer during its active growth period, which mainly occurs in spring, summer, and early fall. Fertilizing is required to supply essential nutrients that the soil may lack, supporting healthy root and stem development and producing the attractive foliage that is an important characteristic of this plant.