Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) is an annual vegetable in the Aizoaceae family, native to Southern Africa, the Mediterranean and western Asia. It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Aizoaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–9 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–14 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 70 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: leaves and shoots (raw, crunchy and salty) |
| Native to | Southern Africa, the Mediterranean and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇫🇷 France, 🇺🇸 United States |
| Invasive in | California coastal scrub, Western Australia: check local rules before planting |
Is Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; rich in oxalates and salts, so eat in moderation.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant)
- How far apart should I plant Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) flower?
- About 9–14 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; rich in oxalates and salts, so eat in moderation.
- What grows well with Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Leaves and stems are covered in glistening water-filled bladder cells that sparkle like ice crystals. Sold as a crunchy, salty salad green (ficoïde glaciale, “barafu”). It concentrates salt and leaves it in the soil when it dies, which helps it crowd out other plants where it has spread.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- New Zealand spinach (warrigal greens) Tetragonia tetragonioides
- Hardy ice plant Delosperma cooperi
- Trailing ice plant (vygie) Lampranthus spectabilis
- Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) Lithops lesliei
- Hottentot fig (sour fig, ice plant) Carpobrotus edulis
- Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
- Cherry tomato Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
- Potato Solanum tuberosum