Purlsane: why won't it grow like a weed?

[relizabeth]

So, I live in London. I don't have a green thumb. However, I have convinced the herb lady at the farmers market to start some purslane for me. She told my husband this past week that it is doing so poorly that she will give it to me for free (!!). I always thought that this was one of those plants that will just grow and grow and grow without any effort on my part. If not, what can I do to help it along? We have outdoor window boxes facing east or west without much shade, or indoors on the ledge in the kitchen facing west. What can I do to help it thrive when I pick it up this weekend?

Thanks!

[Eldon Kreider]

Purslane likes some heat, warm soil, strong sunlight and relatively low moisture. In Chicago in August we had a bumper crop growing in sidewalk cracks in full sun. I doubt that anyone can come remotely close to those conditions in London in October.

[Glencora]

Mine grows where my son's old sandbox used to be. I believe it likes sandy soil.