Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum): Sparkling Succulent Annual

Ice plant, or crystalline ice plant, is a unique succulent annual covered in glittering, fluid-filled bladder cells that glisten like ice crystals. Native to South Africa, it thrives in hot, dry, saline conditions and adds extraordinary texture to containers and borders.

Botanical Profile

• Family: Aizoaceae
• Genus: Mesembryanthemum
• Species: crystallinum
• Synonym: Gasoul crystallinum

Features

Prostrate to mounding, 6–12 inches tall. Leaves are fleshy, covered in large, transparent bladder cells that store water and salt. Flowers are small, white to pink, daisy-like. The entire plant sparkles in sunlight.

Culture

Full sun. Sandy, well-drained, poor soil; tolerates salinity. Drought-tolerant. Grown as annual in most climates; perennial in frost-free zones. Easy from seed.

Uses

Containers, rock gardens, dry borders, seaside gardens. Edible leaves (salty, crunchy). Novelty for children's gardens.