Carpobrotus: The Beautiful but Problematic Ice Plant
If you’ve ever strolled along California’s coastline and noticed those vibrant, daisy-like flowers sprawling across clifftops and dunes, you’ve likely encountered Carpobrotus, commonly known as ice plant. While these succulent ground covers might catch your eye with their colorful blooms and impressive ability to carpet large areas, there’s more to this plant than meets the eye.
What is Carpobrotus?
Carpobrotus is a perennial succulent that belongs to the fig-marigold family. Originally from South Africa, this non-native plant has made itself quite at home in certain parts of the United States. As a forb or herb, it’s a vascular plant that lacks significant woody tissue, instead spreading through thick, fleshy stems that hug the ground.
The plant produces striking flowers that can be pink, purple, or yellow, depending on the species. Its leaves are thick and triangular, designed to store water – a perfect adaptation for dry, coastal conditions.
Where Does Carpobrotus Grow?
In the United States, Carpobrotus has established itself in California, Florida, and Oregon. It thrives in coastal areas where it can tolerate salt spray and sandy soils that would challenge many other plants.
The Problem with Ice Plant
Here’s where things get complicated. While Carpobrotus might seem like a gardener’s dream – beautiful, low-maintenance, and incredibly hardy – it comes with a significant downside. This plant is actually considered highly invasive in many coastal areas, particularly in California.
Ice plant spreads aggressively, forming dense mats that crowd out native vegetation. It can alter soil chemistry and disrupt entire coastal ecosystems that have evolved over thousands of years. What starts as a small patch can quickly become a monoculture that displaces native plants that wildlife depends on for food and shelter.
Growing Conditions and Care
If you’re still curious about how Carpobrotus grows (perhaps you’re dealing with an existing patch), here’s what you should know:
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun
- Soil: Prefers well-draining, sandy soils but adapts to various conditions
- Water: Extremely drought tolerant once established
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 9-11
- Salt tolerance: Excellent for coastal conditions
The plant requires minimal care and can survive on rainfall alone in most climates where it grows. This resilience, unfortunately, is part of what makes it so problematic in natural areas.
Wildlife and Environmental Impact
While Carpobrotus flowers do attract some pollinators like bees, the plant’s overall impact on wildlife is largely negative. By displacing native plants, it reduces the diversity of food sources and habitats that local wildlife species have co-evolved to depend on.
Should You Plant Carpobrotus?
Given its invasive nature and negative environmental impact, we strongly recommend against planting Carpobrotus in your garden or landscape. Even if you think you can contain it, these plants have a way of escaping cultivation and establishing in natural areas.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Instead of ice plant, consider these native ground covers that offer similar benefits without the environmental costs:
- For California: Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus), or California beach pea (Lathyrus littoralis)
- For Florida: Beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) or railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
- For Oregon: Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) or coastal strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)
These native alternatives will provide ground cover, erosion control, and beauty while supporting local ecosystems and wildlife.
The Bottom Line
While Carpobrotus might seem like an easy solution for challenging coastal conditions, its invasive nature makes it a poor choice for responsible gardeners. By choosing native alternatives, you can achieve similar aesthetic and functional goals while supporting the local environment and wildlife that make your region unique.
Remember, the most beautiful gardens are those that work in harmony with their local ecosystems rather than against them!
