Image: AI generated
Ice Plant Plant Care
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This succulent plant is known for its large, fleshy, translucent leaves that sparkle like crystals. Originally from South Africa, it thrives in hot, dry climates and is a popular choice for plant collectors due to its unique appearance and ability to survive in harsh conditions.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Ice Plant?
Water Ice Plant every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Ice Plant Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Italy
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Ice Plant?
Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) belongs to the Aizoaceae family within the Mesembryanthemum genus. Ice Plant is native to Africa, Sinai, Southern Europe. Ice Plant is also known as Common Iceplant.
Ice Plant displays a spreading, prostrate growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Ice Plant produces bloom with daisy-like petals.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Ice Plant?
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Ice Plant Need?
Ice Plant thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ice Plant Prefer?
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Ice Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ice Plant?
Well-draining sandy soil. Good drainage is essential for Ice Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Ice Plant?
Feed Ice Plant every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Ice Plant?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Ice Plant?
Ice Plant can be propagated through stem cuttings or seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to heartleaf ice plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ice Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ice Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Ice Plant?
Ice Plant is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Ice Plant Need?
Ice Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Ice Plant is native to Africa, Sinai, Southern Europe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Ice Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Mesembryanthemum genus — compare its care with other Mesembryanthemum species on PlantoScan.
Mesembryanthemum is part of the Aizoaceae plant family — browse all Aizoaceae genera and species.
Ice Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., family Aizoaceae (first published in Sp. Pl.: 480. 1753.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ice Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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