Looking for a vibrant, low-growing native that delivers charm and ecological value? Kiss Me Quick (Portulaca pilosa) is a delightful short-lived perennial that grows just 3 to 6 inches tall and spreads up to a foot, forming a soft groundcover dotted with vivid pink blooms.
This adaptable wildflower thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of soil types—from sand and loam to clay—making it an easy fit for diverse landscapes. It handles conditions from wet to dry and is a magnet for pollinators, especially bees, beneficial insects, and butterflies like grass skippers. While its playful name and lively flowers may suggest innocence, do note it’s toxic to pets and horses, so site with care. Ideal for native gardens, wildflower patches, or erosion-prone areas needing a pop of color and pollinator action.
- Short-lived perennial
- Size: .25 to .5 ft, spreads .5 to 1 ft.
- Flower: Pink
- Exposure: Full sun, part shade
- Moisture: Wet to dry
- Soil: Sand, loam, clay
- Groundcover
- Attracts bees, insects, butterflies: grass skippers
- Toxic to pets and horses
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