Crystalline Ice Plant Common Ice Plant

This is a prostrate succulent herb covered in large bladder cells, giving it a distinctive glistening appearance. Introduced from Europe and Africa, its unique physiology and ability to accumulate salt has enabled it to establish in disturbed and saline areas in ranges far from its native habitat. It is found on a wide range of soil types, from well-drained sandy soils (including sand dunes), to loams and clays. It prefers acid, neutral or alkaline soils, but can tolerate nutritionally poor or saline soils. It is a salt accumulator. After plant death, the salt leaches from the decaying plant into the surrounding soil. This increased salinity stops other, less salt-tolerant species from establishing. Needs occasional water, full sun, and protect from frost.