Ice Plant: Drought Resistant Beauties Perfect For A Low Maintenance Garden

Plant Care

Once established, Ice Plants are some of the lowest-maintenance perennials you can grow, needing very little care. They thrive in hot, sunny environments and will grow best in dry, well-draining soil.

Light

For fullest blooms, Ice Plants should be planted in full sun, where it gets a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily. They don’t do well in shade, where they might bloom less or become leggy.

Soil

• Ice Plants require soil that drains well. (Sandy, gravelly or rocky soils work best, as they keep water from puddling around the roots.) 
• Avoid heavier clay soils that hold too much moisture and can lead to root rot.

Watering

Ice Plants use very little water once they are established. In many climates, they can live on rainfall alone but appreciate periodic deep watering during extended dry periods. Water sparingly, as they do not like their roots to be soggy so allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings to avoid root rot.

Pruning

Occasional pruning might be needed to keep Ice Plants looking their best. Once that main bloom period is done, remove spent flowers and any long, leggy growth to promote a second round of flowers. If the plant becomes too dense or starts to spread beyond its intended area, thinning it out will help improve airflow and prevent disease.

A light trim at the end of the growing season can help to keep the plant tidy — but don’t cut it back too heavily before winter, particularly in colder zones, since it may not bounce back well in the spring.

Propagating

The Ice Plant can be propagated easily by division or stem cuttings.

• To propagate by division, dig up an established plant and separate a section of the root system. Repot immediately in a fast-draining medium, and water lightly until new growth emerges.
• For stem cuttings, use a 4-6 inch tip from a healthy stem and strip the lower leaves. Leave the cutting out for a day to dry before putting in a sandy ground. Keep the soil lightly damp, and within weeks, roots will form, making a new plant ready for transplanting.

Growing in Pots

Ice Plants do well in containers, making them a great option for patio, balcony, and small garden space plantings. Use a free-draining potting mix that is made for succulents or cacti, and pot into a container with drainage holes to avoid water pooling at the bottom.

Put pot in full sun, water little and allow soil to dry between waterings. If you live in a cold climate, you can always bring potted Ice Plants inside for the winter to protect them from frost.

Overwintering

Some Ice Plants are cold-hardy while others must be protected from freezing temperatures.  In colder zones, apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to insulate the roots. If you’re growing in a pot, try bringing it indoors or to a sheltered spot for winter.

In colder areas, Ice Plants die back in winter and reemerge in spring. Such plants can be reseeded as annuals if they fail to survive the winter, providing seasonal color.

Blooming

Ice Plants are covered with loads of bright daisy-like flowers that will open in full sun but close at night or on cloudy days. Their long blooming time stretches from late spring through fall, with waves of color that entice bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Regular deadheading spent flowers is recommended to promote continual blooms. Give it well-draining soil and full sun, and it becomes a healthy plant that blooms profusely in the warm months.

Common Issues

Ice Plants are mostly pest and disease free but can run into a few issues:

• If the soil is too wet, root rot can set in. To avoid this, plant in well-draining soil and do not over water.
• Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew can also occur under overly humid conditions. Perform good spacing between plants and good ventilation to reduce humidity.
• If the plant does not get enough sunlight, it can grow leggy. Relocate it to a sunnier spot to regain compact growth and promote flowers.

Summary

For gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, show-stopping plant for their landscape, the Ice Plant makes is an exceptional option. Whether tumbling over a rock wall, filling in a border in the garden or brightening a container, this sun-loving plant pays off with months of colorful flowers for minimal care. In the right conditions, it will thrive year after year, showing that beauty doesn’t have to come with high maintenance.