How to Plant and Grow Ice Plant (Lampranthus)

Ice plant is a succulent--meaning it has thick leaves that are watery inside--with daisy-like flowers. It's a good ground cover for hot, dry areas.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Seeds
• Mulch
• Plants
• Fertilizers
• Hand cultivators
• Compost makers
• Bypass pruners

Choosing Ice Plant

1. Look for plants at nurseries year round.

2. Buy ice plant in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers.

3. Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flower buds.

Planting Ice Plant

4. Plant ice plant in full sun in extremely well-drained soil. Sandy soil is best.

5. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

6. Place the plants no deeper than the depth of the containers they were growing in.

7. Set the plants 1 foot apart.

8. 

   Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for Ice Plant

9. Cut off old, dead stems and spent flowers with by-pass pruners at any time of the year to tidy the plant.

[jenjean120]

on 8/13/2008 I planted about 10 ice plants on my hill in full sun from 7:30 till 2:00. they grew fast and looked beautiful until now. the leave all turned pale, they still flower but they don't look as nice. I don't know if I should water them ot not. I know they don't need much water. what should I do!! please help!!!
thnks Jen

on 7/8/2006 The tips of our two pots of ice plant are constantly eaten by area birds, thus we do not get many flowers. I liked the hardiness and low maintenance of the plants, but probably will replace them next year with something else. They are not very attractive in the current condition.

on 11/22/2005 I planted the Ice Plant around my goldfish pond. Some of the plant grew to hang over the pond. I noticed that for several days I was losing a fish or two. One morning about six of the fish died. Then I noticed a fish nibbling around the Ice Plant. It is my opinion that the Ice Plant is deadly for goldfish.

on 11/22/2005 Please, be careful where you plant an ice plant. This is an invasive species and will take over an area quickly. It's very good at choking out other plants, including endangered species.

When an ice plant dies, it leaves a high salt content that makes it hard for plants (other than more ice plant) to grow there. This is a huge problem in California. Use discretion. Thank you.