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Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,641
Registered: ‎08-20-2012

Ice plant is supposed to be one of the more Fire resistant plants if that is a consideration.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 179
Registered: ‎02-27-2022

@goldensrbest @I live in zone 6 and Winters here can normally be pretty brutal. I planted an Ice plant 2 years ago, and it has come back in the Spring twice now with no covering for Winter, no special protection. It has gotten four times the size it was when I planted it and it is absolutely beautiful. I love the Ice plants, the colors are so vibrant! Someone suggested Portulaca and I will say, we had a hanging basket of it about 7 years ago and every Spring, it comes up everywhere and tries to take over. I would not plant Portulaca, unless you don't mind it taking over for decades to come, and it is nowhere near as beautiful as the Ice plants. Good luck to you! 🪴

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,271
Registered: ‎11-08-2020

@goldensrbest  I thought the ice plant was lovely.  I planted years ago but it died.  We were zone 5b.  With climate change, we are zone 6 now.  Might grow in a micro climate.

 

 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,658
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I live in Zone 7a and I have ice plants planted around several difficult to grow places.  They are in front of a large landscape rock near my driveway that is dry with gravel.  I planted 3 sets of purple there three summers ago and they are absolutely gorgeous.  Last year, I planted them around my mailbox, where it is also very dry and rocky.  They did well, but I know they will be even more beautiful this year.

 

They flower profusely as long as it's sunny and hot.  They seem to close up a bit at night and if there is a cool summer day.  I can already see that they are coming back now, which is crazy since it's still very cold here on Long Island.  They won't flower yet, but they are getting ready for the summer.

 

You can absolutely use them as ground cover, but I think you would need a lot of sets, depending on the area you're looking to cover.  I just have a few small areas and I used 6 sets in total.  They are not invasive where I live.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,838
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

They are  not perennial.

When you lose some one you L~O~V~E, that Memory of them, becomes a TREASURE.
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,658
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@goldensrbest 

 

The ice plants are perennial (depending on your zone).  I am in 7a and they are very much a perennial here.

 

However, the portulaca are not perennial for my area.  They are used as annuals here.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,085
Registered: ‎11-24-2011

@goldensrbest  I am in zone 5, and have many rocky, hill covered areas of ice plants.  I love them, and they come back every year.

Super Contributor
Posts: 341
Registered: ‎04-06-2021
I live in NM and almost pulled the trigger and bought these...BUT...then I remembered the bad experiences I had with Cottage Farms and decided nah I'll pass lol!
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,884
Registered: ‎11-25-2014

My dear mom used to grow ice plant. She once had it growing in a hanging basket, mom eventually put the basket down in her front yard and forgot about it. The next year the tendrils took over the front yard, it was a beautiful sight!

When I used to take drives  to the Pacific Ocean, you could see them growing in the sand. The ocean is cold and the weather in winter cold!  Ice plant are very hardy.

They like to sleep at night and when the sun rises they open up to greet you!🌞

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,708
Registered: ‎12-01-2023

@hayseed00 wrote:

@goldensrbest  I am in zone 5, and have many rocky, hill covered areas of ice plants.  I love them, and they come back every year.


Just wanted to say how very much I love ❤️ your name and picture on here.  I always enjoy reading your posts too.