Mesembryanthemum

( muh - zem - bree - AN - thuh - mum )

At-A-Glance Information

These succulent perennial flowering plants, commonly called Ice Plants, need some shade in the hottest climates of their zone range, and little to moderate water. They are native to South Africa, are impressively drought-tolerant, and have a trailing habit. Fleshy stems reach 2 feet long and in the spring and summer hold purple, pink, or white flowers. Leaves are semi-succulent and green. These plants are wonderful in rock gardens and when used as a groundcover. They are also popular container plants and can be used to spill over retaining walls. Where stems spread and touch soil, they will put roots down, and have the potential to become invasive in the garden if not kept in check.

Mesembryanthemum Species and Varietals

The genus Mesembryanthemum is a member of the plant family Aizoaceae, and includes 108 distinct species. Plants in this genus are closely related to those in Carpobrotus (Ice Plant), Delosperma (Ice Plant), Drosanthemum (Dewflower) and Malephora (Ice Plant). The common name 'Ice Plant' given to many species is a reference to the glistening globular bladder cells covering stems, fruits, and leaves. These plants do best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 12, 13, 15-17, 21-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Mesembryanthemum cordifolium (Aptenia cordifolia) (Baby Sun Rose, Heart-Leaf, Red Aptenia, Rooi Brakvygie, Umjuluka, Ibohlololo, Heart Leaved Midday Flower)
This species is a succulent, creeping plant that forms a mat of green foliage. They are short-lived, and form low clumps from a woody base. They can reach up to 4 inches tall, and stems can spread up to 2 feet along the ground. Leaves are fleshy, small, and green. Flowers are bright pink to purple and solitary, opening during the day and closing back up overnight and on cloudy days. Flowers are present primarily from spring through fall. This species is considered highly invasive in California, Oregon and Florida in the United States, Australia, South America, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean region of Europe.

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (Crystalline Iceplant, Common Ice Plant, Ice Plant)
These Mediterranean native plants form a prostrate groundcover, and produce creeping stems. They can reach between 8 and 24 inches wide, and flower from March through October. Leaves of these plants are edible, and consumed similar to Spinach (Spinacia); seeds are also edible. Crushed leaves can be used as a soap substitute, and also have medicinal uses. This species is a popular firescaping plant. This species is an invasive succulent in North America, South America, and Australia.

Mesembryanthemum digitatum (Finger-And-Thumb Plant, Finger Fig, Finger Plant Hitchhiker, Duim-en-vinger, Vingerkanna)
These rare succulent plants are stemless, and form a clump of between 2 and 4 thick, waxy leaves per shoot. They are native to Cape Province, South Africa. Individual plants typically reach just 4 inches tall at maturity, forming a cluster of finger-like green stems. In late wintertime, they produce white to cream-colored blooms.

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum (Slenderleaf Ice Plant, Small-Flowered Ice Plant, Lesser Crystal Ice Plant)
This is the type species of the genus, and is native to coastal areas in the Mediterranean, Macaronesia, and the Middle East. It is considered an invasive species in Australia, some Atlantic Islands, the western United States, and Mexico. It forms an annual clumping mat of stems with fleshy cylindrical leaves. Foliage is green to bright red in color, and flowers are white. Individual stems can reach up to 6 to 8 inches long. This species is considered invasive along the west coast of North America and southwestern Australia.

Mesembryanthemum tortuosum (Sceletium tortuosum) (Namaqua Skeletonfig, Kanna, Channa, Kougoed, Tortuose Fig Marigold)
These plants, native to South Africa, have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Dried plants are chewed, made into tea, and even smoked, and are said to reduce stress and depression and improve mood. Individual plants reach up to 4 to 12 inches tall when mature, and spread outward to form mats. This species is considered invasive in California (United States) and Australia.

Caring for Mesembryanthemum

Plant Mesembryanthemum in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rocky or gravelly and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, they are considered drought tolerant, and prefer soil to dry out between waterings. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Although they are considered perennial plants, they are short-lived and are typically grown in annual beds and then removed in fall before cooler temperatures come through. In mild conditions, they may survive the winter, or they can also be dug up and replanted out in late spring.

Caring for Mesembryanthemum in Containers
Mesembryanthemum do well in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Mesembryanthemum plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Mesembryanthemum can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate Ice Plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Mesembryanthemum by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new Ice Plant.

Propagating Mesembryanthemum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. Once seed pods have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Ice Plant seed pods developing. When mature, they each hold around 30 seeds.

Ice Plant seeds are tiny and light brown to black. They are consumed in some areas of the plant's native range.

Problems and Pests

Certain Mesembryanthemum species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Mesembryanthemum plants are not typically troubled by pests or disease when grown outdoors, but can from time to time have issues with the following: