Ice Plant is a perennial grown for its purple blooms, which open in summer and return year after year. Notably, it shrugs off deer, shrugs off dry spells, and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5.5-7
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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What Ice Plant is
Ice Plant grows as a perennial and reaches around 6 inches at maturity. It blooms purple in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Ice Plant
Ice Plant does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 7, on fast-draining ground.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
excessive (dry/moderately dry)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
0.5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant ice plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Ice Plant prefers pH 5.5 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Harvest at its peak
Cut ice plant blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — ice plant isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Ice Plant offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Ice Plant thrives
Whether ice plant thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Ice Plant will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether ice plant actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Ice Plant in my zone?
Zone data for ice plant is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Ice Plant?
Most growers plant ice plant after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Ice Plant need?
Ice Plant needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Ice Plant need?
Ice Plant prefers soil pH 5.5 to 7, on fast-draining ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Ice Plant attract pollinators?
Yes — ice plant's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Ice Plant safe for pets?
Ice Plant is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.