Campino Twist Pink Rose Moss

Campino Twist Pink Rose Moss (Portulaca oleracea 'Campino Twist Pink') is a fast growing, low succulent that makes a mat about 30cm high and 40cm wide. Its cup shaped, five-petalled flowers are hot pink edged with yellow, so each bloom looks hand painted, and they appear through the year, mostly in spring and summer. It is the choice for hot, sunny, poor soil spots where little else will flower.

Why you'll love it

• Two colours in every flower. Hot pink petals with a yellow edge give a bright striped effect that stands out from plain pink portulacas.
• Flowers through the year. Blooms come mostly in spring and summer, and keep appearing in mild, frost free gardens.
• Made for heat and dry ground. It is drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant, and it grows in poor soil, so it suits spots that defeat thirstier bedding plants.
• Fast cover. As a quick growing succulent it knits into a flowering mat within a season of warm weather.
• Bees and butterflies visit. The open, cup shaped flowers give pollinators easy access, so the planting adds life as well as colour.

Where it works best

Rockeries and waterwise gardens. Plant 30cm apart among rocks and gravel, where sharp drainage and reflected heat suit it. The mats join up within a season or two of warm weather.

Pots and hanging baskets. A sunny pot, basket or window box shows off the spreading habit, outdoors on a balcony or indoors beside a bright window.

Cottage gardens and quick colour. Tuck it along path edges and at the front of mixed beds for bright colour from a small plant.

Vegetable patch edges. It is a good companion plant for tomatoes, so it suits the edge of a vegetable bed.

Growing Campino Twist Pink Rose Moss in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the most colour, and the flowers open in bright light and close in dull weather. It is frost tender, so it is happiest in frost free subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. In cold winters, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors.

Soil. Free draining soil is the one real need. Poor, sandy or gritty ground suits it, and it handles salty soil, which makes it useful near the coast.

Water and feed. Water until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. After that, water when the soil is dry or the leaves start to shrink. In hot, sunny positions a little extra water keeps the display full.

Pruning. Very little pruning is needed. Pinch back or trim straggly stems after a heavy flush to keep the mat dense and encourage fresh growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Campino Twist Pink Rose Moss as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It is small on arrival but grows fast in warm weather, so plant it into sunny, free draining soil or a pot soon after unpacking and water it in. Keep it out of frost while it settles.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse more succulents
• Rockery plants for sunny gardens
• A waterwise garden guide with plant selections
• Plants for pots and containers

Common questions

Will it come back every year?

In a frost free garden it can keep going for years. Frost kills it, so in cold districts treat it as a summer plant, or pot it up and keep it indoors for winter.

Why are the flowers closed in the afternoon?

Portulaca flowers open in bright sun and close in dull weather and at night. A spot with sun for at least part of the day gives the best display.

How much water does it need?

Not much once established. Water when the soil is dry or the leaves begin to shrink, and give a little extra in hot, sunny positions to keep it flowering.