If you’re referring to the viral headline “Never uproot this plant if it appears in your garden,” it appears to be referring to purslane (Portulaca oleracea). One recent version of the headline describes it as a nutrient-rich edible plant rather than simply a weed.
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Why people keep purslane
Purslane has fleshy, smooth leaves and reddish stems and commonly grows in warm, sunny areas. It is eaten in several cuisines and provides fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the plant omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
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However, “never uproot it” is too absolute. Purslane can spread quickly and compete with vegetables and other garden plants.
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One important safety point
Don’t eat an unidentified plant simply because it resembles purslane. Spurge can look similar but produces milky white sap and should not be eaten. Correct identification is essential before harvesting any wild plant.
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So the sensible takeaway is: if you recognize genuine purslane and it isn’t competing with your crops, you can choose to keep and harvest it—but you don’t need to keep every plant that appears in your garden.
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