{"product_id":"mesembryanthemum-crystallinum-purple","title":"Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Purple","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePurple Ice Plant \/ Crystalline Ice Plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-end=\"364\" data-start=\"333\"\u003eMesembryanthemum crystallinum\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Purple’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aizoaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southern Africa (naturalised in parts of coastal Australia\u003cstrong\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Annual to short-lived perennial succulent groundcover\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"949\" data-start=\"565\"\u003eA low, spreading succulent groundcover that thrives in Adelaide’s hot, dry and coastal conditions. \u003cem data-end=\"699\" data-start=\"668\"\u003eMesembryanthemum crystallinum\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Purple’ forms a shimmering mat of fleshy leaves covered in tiny reflective bladder cells that sparkle in the sun like frost. From late spring through summer, it produces masses of vibrant purple-magenta daisy-like flowers that open in full sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1178\" data-start=\"951\"\u003eExceptionally hardy and low maintenance, this ice plant is ideal for coastal gardens, rockeries, verges and waterwise landscapes across South Australia. It handles poor soils, salt-laden winds and reflective heat with ease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.1–0.2 m H × 0.4–0.8 m W (spreading mat-forming habit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20-40 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage: \u003c\/strong\u003eThick, succulent leaves in light green to soft blue-green tones with sparkling crystalline texture; may develop red or bronze tints in dry, cool or stressed conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright purple to magenta daisy-like blooms; late spring–summer\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glittering foliage year-round with bold summer flowering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attracts pollinating insects such as bees and hoverflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely drought tolerant; Excellent heat tolerance; Excellent wind tolerance; Excellent coastal salt tolerance (front-line suitable); Handles reflective heat from paving and gravel; Frost sensitive; may die back in cold winters but often self-seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Groundcover: 3–5 plants per m² for full coverage; Mass display: 0.3–0.5 m apart for a continuous, low carpet effect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally regarded as non-toxic; discourage chewing like most succulents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun (essential for best foliage colour and heavy flowering)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining sandy, gravelly or rocky soils; thrives in poor, coastal limestone soils common across SA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: light soak 1–2 times\/week for 6–8 weeks. Established: very low water needs; deep soak every 2–3 weeks in extreme summer heat; minimal or no water in cooler months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Virtually maintenance-free; trim or pull back dead foliage after flowering if desired. Mulching not essential but light gravel mulch enhances appearance. Avoid overwatering or rich soils.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1–2 years (short-lived perennial\/annual) but often self-seeds and naturalises in suitable spots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones: \u003c\/strong\u003eIdeal for temperate, Mediterranean and coastal South Australia, including Adelaide plains and coastal regions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly tolerant — slightly acidic to strongly alkaline soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastal and seaside gardens for soil stabilisation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRockeries and gravel gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow-maintenance verges and embankments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMixed succulent or native dry gardens with Carpobrotus, Eremophila, and Lomandra\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeasonal filler in sunny pots or borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dazzling, low-water groundcover that sparkles in the sun and bursts into vivid purple flowers through summer. Tough, fast-spreading and perfectly suited to Adelaide’s dry, coastal climate, it delivers beauty and resilience with almost no maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48718769094908,"sku":"MESE-CRYS-PURP-140MM","price":12.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum-ice-plant-purple-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1769647658","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum-purple","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}