Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Purple Ice Plant
Purple Ice Plant is a low, spreading succulent ground cover that forms a dense mat of small, sparkly leaves. From mid-spring into early summer it is covered in bright pink-purple flowers that draw bees. Its stems root as they spread, so it knits together on slopes and banks, and it spills nicely out of raised planters and pots. It does best in the Valley with some afternoon shade.
Best for: slopes and banks that need a living cover, raised planters and pots, and beds under desert trees.
Its stems root wherever they touch the ground, forming a dense mat that blocks weeds and holds soil on slopes and banks. Plant it about 2 to 3 feet apart and it fills in quickly.
It does best in part shade in the low desert, which makes it a good cover under desert trees. Morning sun is enough to keep it flowering well.
In raised planters and pots it trails over the sides, where the sparkly leaves can be seen up close. Use a fast-draining mix so the roots never sit wet.
It cannot take foot traffic, and the leaves turn slippery when stepped on. Poor drainage leads to rot, and beds can thin out in a few years and need replanting.
- Ground cover bed2-3 ft apart
- Quick fill1 ft apart
Young ground cover plants have shallow roots and can need water every 2 or 3 days for the first 2 to 4 weeks. After that, stretch the time between waterings as the plants root in.
Once rooted, water every 5 to 10 days in hot, dry weather and every 3 to 6 weeks in winter if rain is short. Let the soil drain well between waterings.
In the low desert it does best with shade in the afternoon. A spot under a desert tree or on the east side of the house keeps it looking good through summer.
It is rated to about 20°F. On the coldest nights, cover the bed with frost cloth that reaches the ground, and take it off in the morning.
Ground cover beds in the low desert often thin out within 2 to 4 years. Replant bare spots in fall or early spring, and keep people from walking on the bed.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How fast does purple ice plant spread?
It grows fast and spreads into a mat about 3 feet across or more. Plant it 2 to 3 feet apart for a bed, or about 1 foot apart for quicker cover.
Does it need full sun in Phoenix?
It does best in part shade in the low desert. Give it morning sun and afternoon shade, or plant it under a desert tree.
When does it bloom?
It blooms from mid-spring into early summer, with bright pink-purple flowers that cover the plant and draw bees.
Can I walk on it?
No. Ice plant cannot take foot traffic, and the leaves get slippery when stepped on. Use stepping stones or plant it where people will not walk.
How often should I water it?
Water new plants every 2 or 3 days for the first 2 to 4 weeks. Once rooted, water every 5 to 10 days in hot, dry weather and every 3 to 6 weeks in winter if it has not rained.
Is purple ice plant cold hardy?
It is rated to about 20°F. Cover it with frost cloth on the coldest nights.
Will it help on a slope?
Yes. Its stems root as they spread, which helps hold soil on slopes and banks.
Why is my ice plant bed getting bare spots?
Ground cover beds in the Valley often thin out within 2 to 4 years. Replant the bare spots in fall or early spring.
What soil does it need?
It needs fast-draining soil and rots where water sits, so loosen heavy soil and dig out any caliche before planting.
Purple Ice Plant for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Purple Ice Plant is a fast, low-growing succulent ground cover known for its sparkly leaves and a spring carpet of purple flowers. It suits slopes, planters and spots under desert trees. This page covers spacing, shade, water, frost and keeping a bed full in a Valley yard.
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Purple ice plant for Phoenix slopes
Its stems root as they spread, forming a mat that holds soil on slopes and banks. Plant it where people will not walk on it.
How far apart to plant ice plant
Space purple ice plant 2 to 3 feet apart for a bed, or about 1 foot apart for faster cover.
Ice plant in part shade
In the low desert it performs best in part shade, such as under desert trees. Afternoon shade keeps it looking good in summer.
When purple ice plant blooms
Bright pink-purple flowers cover it from mid-spring into early summer, and bees come to them.
Watering ice plant in the Valley
Water new plants every 2 or 3 days for a few weeks. Once rooted, water every 5 to 10 days in hot weather and much less in winter.
Ice plant in raised planters
It trails over the edges of raised planters and pots. A fast-draining mix keeps the roots from rotting.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.