Carpobrotus deliciosus
Images by part: leaf (1) · flower (1) · fruit (0) · bark (0) · habit (0) · other (0)

Carpobrotus deliciosus

Ice plant · Sour fig

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
0
Hardiness
Zone 9–11
Click count
8
Observations
5

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Carpobrotus deliciosus is a succulent perennial of the family Aizoaceae, native to a strip along the south coast of South Africa.

Care Guide

💧 Water

Sour fig needs careful watering that depends on the environmental conditions. During its dormant period, reduce watering to once every 1-2 weeks. In the summer, water the plant in the evening to prevent rot. Pay attention to the plant's leaf symptoms and the soil's moisture level to decide when it needs watering, and adjust the frequency based on the type of pot used.

☀️ Light Full sun

Originating in arid regions, Sour fig flourishes in full sun, its native habitat marked by intense sunlight and minimal shade. It also tolerates partial sun, providing some flexibility in its growth.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Sour fig prefers warm conditions and needs elevated temperatures during the growing season to encourage growth and metabolic activity. It does well with abundant sunlight, proper moisture, and good air circulation. However, it can be damaged by very low temperatures and by excessive watering. It's also important to maintain a balance and avoid temperatures that are too high or conditions that are overly dry.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 0-0
Soil pH: 0-0
🌱 Fertilizer

For Sour fig, light applications of fertilizer once or twice a year during the growing season are sufficient. Avoid fertilizing in winter or in summer when the plant is dormant. Reduce fertilizer for repotted plants and wait a couple of months after repotting before applying fertilizer. Fertilizing supports healthy growth and encourages blooms.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Pruning sour fig in early spring encourages healthy growth and helps control its spread. To achieve this, it's important to remove dead stems and thin out overgrown areas to improve air circulation. Regular pruning helps prevent the plant from becoming invasive and promotes a compact, attractive shape.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Succulent
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Carpobrotus
Family
Aizoaceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
15 cm to 30 cm
Mature Spread
49 cm to 91 cm
Leaf Color
Dark Green, Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
Pink
Flower Size
7.62 cm to 10.16 cm
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Summer, Early fall
Native Area
South Africa

Tags (6)

Common Names (2)

en Ice plant
en Sour fig