Ice Plant, Common iceplant
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Family: Aizoaceae

What it is like

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Maritime sands and salt marshes.

S. Africa. Introduced and naturalized in S. Europe.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Leaves and stems - raw or cooked. They can be used as a spinach substitute. The leaves have an acid flavour, they are thick and very succulent with a slightly salty tang. They can also be pickled like cucumbers or used as a garnish. Fruit. No more details are given. Seed - a famine food used when all else fails.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The plant is demulcent and diuretic. It is used in the treatment of inflammations of the pulmonary and genito-urinary mucous membranes. The leaves are used in the treatment of ascites, dysentery and diseases of the liver and kidney.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating: 0

The crushed foliage is a soap substitute.

Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.

How it is grown

Easily grown in an ordinary well-drained garden soil. Succeeds in any well-drained low-fertility soil so long as it is in a sunny position. A very ornamental plant, it is occasionally cultivated for its edible leaves. It is not very hardy in Britain and will be killed even by a light frost. It is, therefore, usually grown as a half-hardy annual, being sown in a greenhouse in the spring and used for summer bedding. Plants have few problems with pests or diseases though the young plants are prone to root rot and damping off unless given plenty of ventilation and dry growing conditions.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse, only just covering the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Seedlings are prone to damp off so should not be over watered and should be kept in a very sunny well-ventilated position.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Carpobrotus crystallinum. Cryophytum crystallinum.