Narrow-Leaved Iceplant: A Drought-Tolerant Ground Cover for Water-Wise Gardens
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance ground cover that laughs in the face of drought, narrow-leaved iceplant (Conicosia) might just catch your eye. This succulent perennial has made itself at home in California’s Mediterranean climate, offering gardeners a reliable option for challenging, dry spots in the landscape.
What Is Narrow-Leaved Iceplant?
Narrow-leaved iceplant is a perennial forb—essentially a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. Don’t let the term forb intimidate you; it simply means this plant lacks significant woody stems and keeps its growing points at or below ground level, helping it survive tough conditions.
Originally from South Africa, this plant has established itself as a non-native species that reproduces on its own in the wild. While it’s not native to North America, it has found a niche in California’s climate and continues to spread naturally.
Where Does It Grow?
Currently, narrow-leaved iceplant is found growing wild in California, where it has adapted well to the Mediterranean-style climate. Its ability to thrive in this region speaks to its drought tolerance and adaptability to coastal conditions.
Why Consider (or Reconsider) Narrow-Leaved Iceplant?
Here’s the honest truth: narrow-leaved iceplant brings some real benefits to the table, but it’s worth considering both sides of the story.
The Good:
- Extremely drought tolerant once established
- Produces attractive, small daisy-like flowers
- Requires minimal maintenance
- Excellent for erosion control on slopes
- Thrives in poor, sandy soils where other plants struggle
- Provides some pollinator benefits with its flowers
The Considerations:
- It’s not native to North America, so it doesn’t support local ecosystems as well as indigenous plants
- Can spread aggressively in ideal conditions
- May outcompete native species in some areas
Growing Conditions and Care
If you decide to grow narrow-leaved iceplant, you’ll find it refreshingly easy to please. This plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, making it perfect for warmer coastal and desert regions.
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- Full sun exposure
- Well-draining soil (absolutely essential)
- Sandy or rocky soil types
- Minimal water once established
- Good air circulation
Planting and Care Tips
The secret to success with narrow-leaved iceplant is thinking less is more. This plant actually prefers a bit of neglect once it gets going.
Planting:
- Choose a sunny location with excellent drainage
- Amend heavy clay soils with sand or gravel
- Space plants according to desired coverage speed
- Water lightly after planting, then reduce frequency
Ongoing Care:
- Water sparingly—overwatering is the quickest way to kill this plant
- No fertilizer needed (it actually prefers poor soil)
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Monitor for aggressive spreading and trim back as needed
Design Ideas and Landscape Uses
Narrow-leaved iceplant works wonderfully in Mediterranean-style gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscaping projects. It’s particularly valuable for covering challenging spots like steep slopes, parking strips, or areas with poor soil where lawn grass won’t grow.
Consider using it as a ground cover between stepping stones, in seaside gardens where salt tolerance matters, or as a living mulch around drought-tolerant shrubs.
Native Alternatives Worth Considering
While narrow-leaved iceplant has its merits, you might also consider these native alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local wildlife:
- California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
- Coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis)
- Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)
- Various native sedums and dudleyas
The Bottom Line
Narrow-leaved iceplant can be a practical choice for challenging garden spots, especially if you’re dealing with drought conditions, poor soil, or steep slopes. Just remember that while it’s not considered invasive, it is a non-native plant that can spread readily. If you choose to grow it, consider containing its spread and perhaps dedicating some garden space to native alternatives as well.
The key to success with this plant is remembering that it evolved in harsh conditions—so resist the urge to pamper it with rich soil and frequent watering. Sometimes, the best care is knowing when to step back and let nature take its course.
