1 named cultivar

‘Aussie Rambler’Coastal Pigface

cactus succulent

Beach Ice Plant

The Story

Plant Bio

Carpobrotus glaucescens is a prostrate, mat-forming evergreen succulent native to coastal eastern Australia, where it stabilizes sand dunes with trailing stems up to six feet long. The thick, fleshy leaves are triangular in cross-section and carry a distinct glaucous, bluish-green hue.

Large, daisy-like flowers up to two inches across open in deep pink to light purple with pale bases, featuring over a hundred fine, petal-like staminodes. The plant roots readily at every stem node, allowing it to rapidly cover bare, sandy ground.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense, blue-green succulent carpet punctuated by large, bright pink daisy-like flowers.

Acts as a highly fire-retardant groundcover and offers exceptional salt spray tolerance on coastal fronts.

Stabilizes loose, sandy soils and provides nectar for generalist insect pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Cactus Succulent

Height

12"

Width

79"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with sandy, gravelly, or highly porous soil.
Dig a shallow hole just deep enough to accommodate the root ball without burying the crown.
Water sparingly immediately after planting to settle the soil, then withhold water until the top few inches are completely dry.
Space multiple plants six feet apart to allow the trailing stems room to spread and root at the nodes.

Pro Tip

Plant in sharp, mineral-dominant soils with excellent drainage; in heavy clay or persistent shade, the crown and stems will rot rapidly.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide full sun to maintain the compact, glaucous foliage and encourage heavy flowering.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent root and stem rot.
Trim back trailing stems once a year after flowering to keep the plant within its boundaries.

Don't

Do not overwater or plant in heavy, moisture-retentive clay soils.
Do not apply heavy organic composts or high-nitrogen fertilizers, which cause weak, bloated growth.
Do not cut back into old, leafless, woody stems, as they fail to reshoot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

GroundcoverRock gardensCoastal erosion controlSlopes and embankmentsContainer specimen

Companion Plants

Opuntia basilaris Senecio mandraliscae Agave attenuata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Beach Ice Plant questions

What zones can Beach Ice Plant grow in?

Beach Ice Plant 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.

Is Beach Ice Plant deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Beach Ice Plant, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Beach Ice Plant bloom?

Beach Ice Plant 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 Beach Ice Plant need full sun?

Beach Ice Plant does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Beach Ice Plant drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Beach Ice Plant handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.