How to Grow Ice Plant

A popular way to cover hillsides in hot, dry climates is to grow the ground cover known as ice plant. There really isn't just one ice plant, but a number of different succulent plants that are all referred to under that name. Here is some information on how to grow ice plant.

Instructions

1. Ice Plants are succulents. They are plants that store water in their foliage, giving them rounded, juicy leaves. This water storing capability makes the plant able to go longer without water than most other plants. But it DOES still need to be watered regularly in hot, dry climates. Use ice plant to cover hillsides to protect from erosion.

2. Many of the ice plants have very showy flowers. When in bloom they can carpet the ground with brilliant color. Use them to paint large areas with vibrant color in the springtime and carpet the ground in green the rest of the year.

3. All ice plants are tolerant of poor soils, low water and full, hot sun. Some can take temperatures down to the low 20's Fahrenheit. Grow these plants in zones 5 to 10. In shade ice plants grow spindly and do not bloom well.

4. 

   Plant them roughly a foot apart on center to cover open areas. Different varieties will spread to different widths. Make sure they are watered with overhead sprinkling (drip systems probably won't work well for a full covering in a spread-out area unless very carefully set up). Uneven watering will create brown patches. Most are low growing and make an excellent ground cover. Since there are varieties with red, orange, yellow, white or purple colors, you can use individual plants in the garden for sparkling color accents.

5. Ice plant is very slippery when walked on since the leaves are filled with a sticky fluid that is as easy to slide on as ice. Try not to step on the plant as it will do neither you nor the plant any good.

6. Some varieties of plant that come under the name of ice plant are: Mesembryanthemum, Delosperma, Lampranthus and Carpobrotus. Avoid the light purple variety Carpobrotus edulis as it has become an invasive pest in some areas and choose the Carpobrotus chilensis (sea fig) instead. The latter is lower growing and brighter in color as well as being non-invasive.

7. Grow ice plant for a tough, easy care, drought tolerant groundcover or as a spot color plant in the flower garden.

Resources

• Landscape design and gardening information