Little hogweed
Portulaca retusafam. Caryophyllaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. C920 — Portulaca retusa
Portulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusaPortulaca retusa
IOverview
Overview
Little hogweed (Portulaca retusa) is an annual forb or herb native to regions across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. Known for its edible leaves and seeds, this plant thrives in light to medium soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5, preferring dry to moist conditions. It can be found from Afghanistan to Yemen, including various islands such as Aldabra and Seychelles. Standing at about 0.2 meters tall, little hogweed is adaptable to diverse habitats, making it a notable presence in its native range.
Quick answers
What is Little hogweed?
Little hogweed (Portulaca retusa) is an annual forb or herb native to regions across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. Known for its edible leaves and seeds, this plant thrives in light to medium soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5, preferring dry to moist conditions.
What is Little hogweed used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Little hogweed
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Little hogweed appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a traditional preparation. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Little hogweed thrives in light to medium soil with a pH of 7-7.5 and prefers dry to moist conditions. It is an annual forb or herb that grows up to 0.2 meters tall. This plant requires full sun to partial shade and is hardy in temperate regions. For propagation, sow seeds directly into the garden bed after all danger of frost has passed. Water regularly but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Harvest leaves and seeds for culinary use.
Light
7/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.2 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Little hogweed for the first time
8steps
Start with Little hogweed as a simple annual herb, focusing on basic care and harvesting leaves.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, potting soil, small containers or garden bed.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, or start seeds indoors a month before planting outdoors.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH of 7-7.5. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden, covering them lightly. For containers, plant seedlings or direct-sown seeds.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Keep plants in a sunny spot.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun and regular watering, especially during dry periods. Pinch back young growth for bushier plants.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune leaves as needed for use in salads or cooking; this also encourages new growth.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to pinch back young growth.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesSeed
Edible uses: The little hogweed is edible and its leaves and seeds can be consumed. The leaves are often eaten fresh in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Seeds can be harvested and used in various culinary applications, though specific preparation methods are not detailed here.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe4 regions
native (4)AlbaniaGreeceItalySpain
Asia3 regions
native (3)AfghanistanIranIraq
Africa16 regions
native (16)AlgeriaAngolaBeninBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonChadCôte d'IvoireEgyptEritreaEthiopiaGabonGambiaGuineaGuinea-BissauKenya
Broader regions
native:Gulf States, Gulf of Guinea Is., Aldabra, Central African Repu, Chagos Archipelago, Congo, Kriti
VIIIGarden companions
1 pair
Garden companions
1 pairPlant near these
These plants help — by repelling pests, fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators, or sharing space well.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Caryophyllaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Caryophyllaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · c92073d5-c0ad-44e9-98b8-46a6c9565c2d
Decision aid
Choosing between Little hogweed and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.