Ice Plant
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
HOW TO GROW ICE PLANT
Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Seedling are very small to start, grow out in pots in fast draining soil for a year before transplanting. Do not over water, seedlings are prone to damp off, keep in sunny well ventilated position. Propagate from cuttings of non-flowering shoots rooted in well drained compost. Easily grown as a cut-and-come-again crop. Does well even in low-fertility sandy and saline soil as long as it is in a sunny location. Not frost hardy, grown as an annual in temperate climates or in a greenhouse. Seeds require light to germinate, press into soil, do not cover. Soil pH 6.1-7.8. Hardiness zones 9b-11. Perennial.
Usual seed life 3–4 years.
Planting Depth surface
Soil Temp. Germ. 68˚F
Days to Germ. 7-21
Plant Spacing 12-14”
Row Spacing 18-24”
Days To Maturity 30-60
Full Shade, Moist Well Drained
Usual seed life 3–4 years.
Planting Depth surface
Soil Temp. Germ. 68˚F
Days to Germ. 7-21
Plant Spacing 12-14”
Row Spacing 18-24”
Days To Maturity 30-60
Full Shade, Moist Well Drained
- 300 Seeds$4.50
- 3000 Seeds$27.00
Thick, succulant leaves and stems covered with shimmering silvery dots. Slightly acid-flavoured leaves are boiled and eaten like spinach. Crushed foliage is used as soap substitute. Can be pickled like cucumbers or used as garnish. Medicinally used as demulcent and diuretic used as treatment of inflammations of muco...
Thick, succulant leaves and stems covered with shimmering silvery dots. Slightly acid-flavoured leaves are boiled and eaten like spinach. Crushed foliage is used as soap substitute. Can be pickled like cucumbers or used as garnish. Medicinally used as demulcent and diuretic used as treatment of inflammations of mucous membranes. Leaves are used to treat ascites, dysentery and liver and kidney diseases. Crushed foliage is also used as a soap substitute. The plant is covered by large glistening cells giving its common name ice plant. Also known as crystalline Iceplant and Blooming at Midday.
Native to South Africa, western Asia and Europe.
Native to South Africa, western Asia and Europe.
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