Carpobrotus edulis
Ice plant, Cape Hottentot fig, Trailing hottentot fig, Pigface, Sour fig
Also known as Lampranthus edulis
- Height × spread
- 0.15m × 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Although this is a plant from South Africa it has become naturalised in a number of places that include coastal parts of Cornwall. It makes a spreading colony of fleshy upright leaves that are slightly curved along their length. They are coloured rich green, sometimes pink-tipped. It produces creamy yellow daisy-like blooms that have long slender petals and a warm golden heart. The flowers turn orange with age. The flowers are followed by red fruits that are edible. The fruits are eaten raw and are quite low in calories. It is possible to make jam from them. The leaves have medicinal uses as a throat gargle. This is only hardy in warmer parts of the country.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.15m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Rock garden, Indoors, Gravel garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Planting
Protect from winter cold
Bring the plant into a frost-free area before frosts occur, and do not put them outside until all danger of frost is past. Follow watering instructions, or allow the plant a period of dormancy during the winter.
Plants need to be brought inside in cold areas, i.e. colder than zone 8.