Slenderleaf iceplant
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum · Aizoaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around slenderleaf iceplant and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Aizoaceae
- Form
- Creeping succulent
- Foliage
- Persistent, fleshy and nodiflorous
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (white or pink flowers)
- Adult size
- 4–8 inches tall, ground-covering
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate (mild climate, min. 41–50 °F)
- Origin
- South Africa, Mediterranean regions
- Soil type
- Well-draining, poor, sandy
Care
Watering
Water moderately during growth (spring-summer), allowing the soil to dry between waterings. In fall and winter, reduce watering dramatically as the plant enters relative dormancy. Absolutely avoid standing water, which causes root rot.
Light Exposure
Place in full sun for beautiful flowering and compact growth. At minimum, 6 hours of direct daily sunlight is necessary. Insufficient light makes the plant leggy and reduces flowering.
Soil and Substrate
Use a very well-draining mix: cacti and succulent potting soil enriched with coarse sand or perlite (50-50). Poor soil is preferable; avoid any organic matter that would retain moisture.
Fertilizing
Apply diluted succulent fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring-summer). Over-rich fertilizer promotes foliage at the expense of flowering. Stop fertilizing in fall-winter.
Pruning and Cleanup
Pinch back stems in spring to encourage a bushy, compact form. Remove any dead or rotted parts as soon as they appear. This ground-covering plant needs only light tidying.
Pests and Diseases
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites indoors. Rot is the main risk with excess moisture. Ensure good ventilation and practice restrained watering to prevent problems.
Did you know?
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, also called the "Knotted Fig-marigold," takes its name from the Greek "mesembria" (midday) and "anthemum" (flower): its flowers bloom especially in full daylight and close at night. Historically, this plant from the arid regions of South Africa naturalized itself in the Mediterranean, where it colonizes poor and rocky lands, becoming a true pioneer of coastal ecosystems.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Hottentot figCarpobrotus edulis
- Pink trailing iceplantDelosperma cooperi
- Ruschia lineolataRuschia lineolata
- Sea purslaneSesuvium portulacastrum
- Crystalline ice plantMesembryanthemum crystallinum
- New Zealand spinachTetragonia tetragonoides
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.