Is there any merit to my wacky idea to grow a Purslane lawn?

Question

I have this wacky idea to plant Purslane instead of grass in my desert yard (zone 7a, 9 inches of rain annually). I'm not keen on having high-maintenance turf; the only grass in the running against the Purslane idea is Curly Mesquite grass, which I've read can grow on 5 inches. But I like the idea of Purslane instead because since it's a weed, it will more or less grow on its own, and it's edible! I think it's delicious and love the idea of being able to graze on my own lawn. The seeds are also available dirt cheap.

But Purslane is an annual and I worry about how the yard will look after it dies and before it re-grows the next year. Is this a legitimate worry? And if I carpet a whole area with it, will it reliably re-seed itself for the next year?

Answer 1

It is a succulent and won't take much foot traffic at all, compared with grass. If you plan to walk through your yard often, I wouldn't recommend you do this. Also, it will shade and cool the soil, and so will encourage the germination and establishment of weeds where they otherwise would be getting baked.

Other than that, it could look good while green. I've had it come up as monocultures where I left land go fallow, and it would usually thin out after a few years of that and other weeds would come in. Of course, this is a totally different area, so that may not be the case where you are.

Also, over the dormant months, you won't have anything out there at all. About grazing it, that's a nice thought, but when it's dry, there'll be a lot of dust buildup, and you'll want to wash it off before consumption unless you don't mind crunching dirt.

In short, I think it's possible, but I see more cons than pros. If you see it differently, then by all means go for it. No better way to learn than direct experience imo.

Answer 2

You mentioned that one of the attractions of Purslane is that it's a weed.

I've been experimenting with Kikuyu grass in Phoenix AZ with moderate success so far. I'm hopeful that it will take over my Bermuda Grass lawn which it is competing with and so far it's showing signs that it will. It is classified as a noxious weed in all parts of the US except Southern California, Arizona and Hawaii where it may be planted. If you live in one of these areas then it might be an option.

I have two patches of my lawn where the Kikuyu has taken over that remained green all winter. Granted some of the parts that are Kikuyu also went brown over the winter so those patches had other factors like frost shelter that protected them as well.

If your objective is not to be able to eat your lawn but rather have (1) a year round green lawn, (2) a "weed" lawn that will kill other weeds, and (3) you live in a permitted area, then Kikuyu might be an option.

Answer 3

The problem with purslane where I live is that it doesn't germinate until June or July... So it isn't dominant enough to out compete other weeds.