Ice Plant Oscularia piquetbergensis
Other plants called Ice Plant:
Previously known as:
- Lampranthus piquetbergensis
- Mesembryanthemum piquetbergense
- Phonetic Spelling
- os-kuh-LAR-ee-a pee-ket-berg-EN-sis
- Description
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Oscularia piquetbergensis or Ice Plant is a succulent, perennial, groundcover and is a part of the ice plant family (Aizoaceae). This species of subshrub is found in the subtropical climates of the Southwest Cape Provinces of Africa and in mountain ranges that consist of sandstone rocks. The genus name is derived from the Latin word, Osculum , which means "small mouth." This references the toothed leaves of another one of its species. The specific epithet, piquetbergensis, references the town of Piquetberg, (that is now spelled Piketberg) and the area and mountain range where the plants are primarily found.
This plant is drought and poor soils tolerant. It prefers full sun, well-drained, sandy or rocky soil with an acidic pH. If grown as a houseplant succulent potting mix is recommended. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out between watering. The plant is USDA Plant Hardy from zones 9b to 11. Bring the plant indoors before the first frost. The plant is propagated by stem cuttings or seeds.
The Ice Plant has a mounding and trailing habit. It grows up to 5 inches tall and 24 inches wide.The plant has reddish stems and small, succulent, sickle-shaped, grayish-green leaves with reddish margins that are club-shaped at the tips. The leaf margins are usually toothless; however, some Ice Plants with inconspicuous teeth have been reported. The flowers bloom in the spring and early summer and are usually pink or lavender-pink, daisy-like with a yellow-gold cone center. They grow on red stems up to 8 inches tall, have a mild scent, and open in the afternoon. The fruits are woody capsules that will open in wet weather to ensure propagation and close in dry weather. The seeds are ovoid and brown.
This plant may be grown as a houseplant or container plant. Consider using this ornamental in a hanging basket and allow its attractive red stem to cascade down the planter. In warmer climates, it could be planted outdoors as a groundcover, accent plant, or along slopes and embankments.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs and aphids. Overwatering can cause root rot and other fungal diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Oscularia
- Species:
- piquetbergensis
- Family:
- Aizoaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southwest Cape Provinces
- Distribution:
- Cape Provinces
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract honeybees.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a woody capsule containing small, ovoid-shaped, brown seeds. The seeds are dispensed from locules during wet weather to ensure propagation.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Description:
- The flowers grow on the reddish stems up to 8 inches in height and are pink to lavender pink, daisy-like with a yellow gold center. The flowers are occasionally found in shades of white with a yellow gold center. The bloom in the spring and summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are succulent, ovate, sickle-shaped with club-shaped tips and grayish-green with narrow red margins. Typically, the leaf margins are entire.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are brick red.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil
