Carpobrotus glaucescens
cactus succulent

Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla

Carpobrotus glaucescens

The Story

Plant Bio

Carpobrotus glaucescens, commonly known as pigface, is a prostrate, mat-forming succulent perennial endemic to the coastal dunes and rocky headlands of eastern Australia. The species features thick, fleshy, trailing stems that root readily at the nodes, producing upright branches with smooth, glaucous leaves that are triangular in cross-section.

This species is distinguished by its large, solitary, daisy-like flowers of light purple to deep pinkish-purple that fade to white at the base. Following flowering, it produces edible, purplish fruits that are traditionally consumed as bush food and sought after by native fauna.

Uses & Benefits:

Ornamental UsesProvides a dense, blue-green succulent carpet punctuated by bright purple, daisy-like flowers.
Practical UsesActs as an effective, low-maintenance groundcover for erosion control on steep, dry, or saline slopes.
Ecological BenefitsStabilizes shifting coastal sands and provides food for native pollinating insects and fruit-eating fauna.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Cactus Succulent

Height

12 inches

Width

80 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

High tolerance

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

  1. Select a planting site in full sun with highly permeable, sandy, or gravelly soil.
  2. Dig a shallow hole just wide enough to accommodate the root ball without adding compost or organic matter.
  3. Position the plant at its original container depth, backfill with native sand, and firm gently.
  4. Water sparingly once to settle the soil, then rely entirely on natural rainfall once established.

Pro Tip

Plant in lean, sharp-draining sand or gravelly substrates and avoid regular summer irrigation; excess moisture in heavy soils causes rapid stem collapse and fungal root rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

  • Grow in full sun to ensure compact growth and abundant flowering.
  • Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent waterlogging around the root zone.
  • Source local-provenance plants to preserve genetic integrity.

Don't

  • Do not plant in heavy clay or richly composted garden beds.
  • Do not apply regular summer irrigation once the root system is established.
  • Do not prune heavily into old, leafless woody stems as they will not reshoot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

TaskJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Harvest
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Coastal dune stabilizationRock gardensGroundcover for dry, sandy slopesErosion control on coastal cliffs

Companion Plants

Spinifex sericeus Ficinia nodosaLeucophyta brownii

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla questions

What zones can Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla grow in?

Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla bloom?

Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla need full sun?

Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.

Keep exploring

Explore the genus

Hardy in your zone?

Grow Pigface, Angular Pigface, Coastal Pigface, Angular Sea Fig, Iceplant, Karkalla with confidence

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