Common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Common ice plant on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 10 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Common ice plant
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, commonly known as the Ice Plant, is an annual succulent plant distinguished by its fleshy leaves covered in sparkling, bladder-like cells, giving it a frosted appearance. It grows prostrate, forming dense mats, and produces small white or pink flowers. It's perfect for rock gardens, coastal landscapes, or as a groundcover in hot, dry climates.
Native range
Southern Africa (mainly in coastal and desert regions)
Care tips
This plant thrives in full sun to develop its characteristic 'crystals' optimally. Watering should be infrequent and sparse, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. It prefers sandy, well-draining, and nutrient-poor soils; a succulent-specific potting mix is ideal. Avoid overwatering, as it is the most common cause of failure for this species, especially in humid climates.
How to save a dying Common ice plant
- Warning signs
- Soft, wrinkled, limp leaves; flaccid stems; pale or yellowish discoloration.
- First aid
- Move to a cooler, shadier spot, water if soil is dry, and check drainage.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (rots roots quickly) and intense direct sun in hot climates.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely rotted and some firm tissue remains.