Miner's lettuce / Indian lettuce / Winter purslane

Plant family

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Shady

Water requirement

Wet

Nutrient requirement

Low

Seeding distance

15 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm

Instructions

Description

The "common tellweed" or "postelein" (Claytonia perfoliata) is a plant species from the family of the spring weeds (Montiaceae). It is cultivated in Central Europe, is hardy and is therefore sometimes used as a "modern" winter vegetable.

Growing tips

Postelein seeds germinate only at a temperature below 12 °C and are therefore sown in rows 15-20 cm apart in the period from September to March (hence the name "winter purslane"). In most cases, commercially available postelein comes from greenhouse cultivation. Even though the plants can tolerate some cold, you should protect them from heavy frost with a garden fleece. During the cultivation Postelein is quite undemanding. When harvesting, cut the leaves and stems (preferably still young) not too low above the ground. This way the Postelein can sprout again and several harvests are possible.