Many Confuse This Plant with a Weed, But It’s Actually Full of Surprising Health Benefits

 It’s easy to overlook purslane (Portulaca oleracea) as just another pesky weed. You might even spot it growing through cracks in your driveway or between rows in the garden. But don’t be too quick to pull it up — this unassuming succulent plant is a nutritional powerhouse hiding in plain sight.

Known by several names including pigweed, little hogweed, and fatweed, purslane has been consumed for centuries in traditional cuisines and medicinal practices, particularly across Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. In fact, in traditional Chinese medicine, it’s often referred to as “the vegetable for long life.”

Let’s take a closer look at the impressive health benefits that make purslane one of the most underrated greens in your backyard.

What Good Things Are Inside Purslane?

Purslane is rich in essential nutrients while being incredibly low in calories. That makes it a fantastic addition to any healthy diet. Here’s what it brings to the table:

Vitamins A, C, and E – key for skin health, immunity, and cellular repair

Minerals – calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, and potassium for bone and heart health

B vitamins – including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), and folate for energy metabolism

Water content – about 93%, which keeps it hydrating and low in calories

Fiber – supports digestion and helps maintain blood sugar levels

With this wide spectrum of nutrients, purslane punches far above its weight for something often mistaken for a weed.

A Rare Plant Source of Healthy Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation — and they’re most commonly found in fatty fish like salmon or mackerel. But what if you could get them from a plant?

Purslane contains impressive levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3, offering 5 to 7 times more ALA than spinach. Even more remarkably, purslane also contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) — a highly usable omega-3 typically found in animal products and marine algae, making it extremely rare in terrestrial plants.