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About
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Key Facts
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Ice plants
Ice plants
Ice plants
Ice plants
Ice plants (Mesembryanthemum)
The ice plants (Mesembryanthemum) are a large group of low-growing, flowering plants. Their common name refers not to their habitat, but their appearance – ice plants have shiny, glistening stems and leaves that can appear to be ice-covered. Hardy and bearing small but showy flowers, several ice plants are commonly cultivated as ornamental groundcovers.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Annual
Plant Type
Plant Type
Succulent
info

Key Facts About Ice plants

Attributes of Ice plants

Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 41 ℃

Scientific Classification of Ice plants

distribution

Distribution of Ice plants

Distribution Map of Ice plants

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
habit
care detail

How to Grow and Care for Ice plants

how to grow and care
Ice plants plants often demand low-maintenance attention with moderate light exposure and well-draining soil. They are typically watered sparingly in cool seasons, with increased frequency in warm, dry months. Temperatures below freezing pose a major challenge, as do pests like mealybugs and root-knot nematodes. Diseases like root rot are also concerns due to overwatering. As per seasonal considerations, these succulent plants are likely to enter dormancy in extreme heat or cold, altering their water and light requirements.
More Info About Caring for Ice plants
species

Exploring the Ice plants Plants

6 most common species:
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium
Baby sun rose
Baby sun rose (Mesembryanthemum cordifolium) is a succulent species native to South Africa. Baby sun rose is primarily planted for ornamental purposes in gardens and urban spaces. This species is considered fast-growing and is often planted as ground cover in flower boxes and public areas. It can be easily propagated from cuttings and outcompetes weeds when grown in the same area.
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Slender leaved ice plant
Slender leaved ice plant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) is an annual herb succulent endemic to South Africa, Israel, and Jordan. Slender leaved ice plant is widely naturalized throughout the world and grows on coastal bluffs and in salty wetlands. Slender leaved ice plant is considered easy to grow and is occasionally cultivated. It cannot grow when exposed to frost or in the shade. It grows in well-drained garden soil when cultivated.
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Common ice plant
The common ice plant can be used as an edible food ingredient, tasting crispy and slightly salty when eaten on its own. Its leaves, branches, and even the surface of its pods are covered in small, transparent, vesicular bulges. These are crystal-like and oddly-shaped, with some ornamental value.
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 'Variegata'
Baby sun rose 'Variegata'
Baby sun rose 'Variegata' is named for its variegated leaves that are bright green with white margins. This plant is also notable for its magenta flowers. It is used frequently in containers and hanging pots but is also planted as a groundcover in some areas.
Mesembryanthemum aitonis
Ganna mesemb
Ganna mesemb is a resilient succulent with fleshy leaves arranged in a basal rosette. Its leaves are adapted for water storage, reflecting the arid habitats it thrives in. The plant bursts into color with daisy-like flowers that open under the bright sunlight, making ganna mesemb both striking and well-suited to survive in harsh, dry conditions.
Mesembryanthemum subnodosum
Mesembryanthemum subnodosum
Mesembryanthemum subnodosum is characterized by its succulent leaves that are adapted to conserve water in dry environments. This low-lying plant boasts vibrant daisy-like flowers, which typically bloom in the intense sunlight. Its robust root system allows survival in sandy or rocky soils, reflecting its resilience and specialized adaptation to arid habitats.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Ice plants
Ice plants
Ice plants
Ice plants
Ice plants
Ice plants
Ice plants
Mesembryanthemum
The ice plants (Mesembryanthemum) are a large group of low-growing, flowering plants. Their common name refers not to their habitat, but their appearance – ice plants have shiny, glistening stems and leaves that can appear to be ice-covered. Hardy and bearing small but showy flowers, several ice plants are commonly cultivated as ornamental groundcovers.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Annual
Plant Type
Plant Type
Succulent
info

Key Facts About Ice plants

Attributes of Ice plants

Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 41 ℃

Scientific Classification of Ice plants

distribution

Distribution of Ice plants

Distribution Map of Ice plants

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
care detail

How to Grow and Care for Ice plants

Ice plants plants often demand low-maintenance attention with moderate light exposure and well-draining soil. They are typically watered sparingly in cool seasons, with increased frequency in warm, dry months. Temperatures below freezing pose a major challenge, as do pests like mealybugs and root-knot nematodes. Diseases like root rot are also concerns due to overwatering. As per seasonal considerations, these succulent plants are likely to enter dormancy in extreme heat or cold, altering their water and light requirements.
More Info About Caring for Ice plants
species

Exploring the Ice plants Plants

6 most common species:
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium
Baby sun rose
Baby sun rose (Mesembryanthemum cordifolium) is a succulent species native to South Africa. Baby sun rose is primarily planted for ornamental purposes in gardens and urban spaces. This species is considered fast-growing and is often planted as ground cover in flower boxes and public areas. It can be easily propagated from cuttings and outcompetes weeds when grown in the same area.
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Slender leaved ice plant
Slender leaved ice plant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) is an annual herb succulent endemic to South Africa, Israel, and Jordan. Slender leaved ice plant is widely naturalized throughout the world and grows on coastal bluffs and in salty wetlands. Slender leaved ice plant is considered easy to grow and is occasionally cultivated. It cannot grow when exposed to frost or in the shade. It grows in well-drained garden soil when cultivated.
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Common ice plant
The common ice plant can be used as an edible food ingredient, tasting crispy and slightly salty when eaten on its own. Its leaves, branches, and even the surface of its pods are covered in small, transparent, vesicular bulges. These are crystal-like and oddly-shaped, with some ornamental value.
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 'Variegata'
Baby sun rose 'Variegata'
Baby sun rose 'Variegata' is named for its variegated leaves that are bright green with white margins. This plant is also notable for its magenta flowers. It is used frequently in containers and hanging pots but is also planted as a groundcover in some areas.
Show More Species
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
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17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
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Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
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A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
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