I think Pereskia portulacifolia makes a nice miniature windowsill cactus when neatly trimmed. It is easy to grow (and easy to propagate via cuttings) and can be used as an attractive rock garden plant in the summertime. It can also be trimmed and trained as a pleasing "bonsai style" specimen or included as part of a dish garden display.


Pereskia portulacifolia growing "rampant" (normal growth)
in 2" (5cm) - by 3" (7.5cm) deep square plastic pots


Pereskia portulacifolia unpotted to show vigorous root system


Pereskia portulacifolia, pruned and shaped, growing
in 2" (5cm) - by 3" (7.5cm) deep square plastic pots


Pereskia portulacifolia growing as a "bonsai style" windowsill plant


James

I love this one, James. I'm not familiar with it but now it's on my want list! I see there are no photos of it in our database, so please add it when you have the time.

plantmanager said:I love this one, James. I'm not familiar with it but now it's on my want list! ....................

Inasmuch you are on my plant want waiting list, Karen, I can add a rooted cutting or two of this plant. I too love this species -- I haven't had much luck flowering extensively pruned plants, but the flowers are beautiful and are borne profusely on freely grown plants -- just enter Pereskia portulacifolia in your favorite search engine to see numerous pics. It is a pity that this species is rarely encountered in cultivation for it has many uses for enthusiasts. I grow my plants outdoors here in our arid zone 9b Tucson climate, but I bring them indoors or cover them when freezing nights are forecast because it is a tropical cactus.

James

Thank you, James. That would be wonderful. I could try it outdoors under my pergola in Scottsdale where it is 9B.

There are so many nice cacti and succulents which we never see in the market place. I get so tired of seeing the same plants everywhere I go. This also goes for the landscaping at all of the homes in our Arizona area. They all use the same plants and there is no variation.

I have a friend who has a large Pereskia in his front yard - his pretty much takes the sun here in the summer, it probably gets some late afternoon shade from a mesquite tree, but is mostly serving as a shade tree for many other cacti and succulents - next time I am there I will try and get a picture, it is a very well grown specimen. I think it gets through cold spells OK because it is close to the south facing wall of the house and here in the suburban heat island we tend to not get too many really cold nights these days.

mcvansoest said:I have a friend who has a large Pereskia in his front yard - his pretty much takes the sun here in the summer, it probably gets some late afternoon shade from a mesquite tree, but is mostly serving as a shade tree for many other cacti and succulents - next time I am there I will try and get a picture, it is a very well grown specimen. I think it gets through cold spells OK because it is close to the south facing wall of the house and here in the suburban heat island we tend to not get too many really cold nights these days.

My friend T.D. grows Pereskia grandiflora and Pereskia weberiana in his front yard in Chandler (just up the road about 120 miles). I will take some pics the next time I visit him.

James