{"product_id":"mesembryanthemum-crystallinum-red","title":"Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Red","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Ice Plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eMesembryanthemum crystallinum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Red'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAizoaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSouthern Africa (naturalised in parts of coastal Australia)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAnnual to short-lived perennial succulent groundcover\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA low, spreading succulent groundcover that thrives in Adelaide's hot, dry and coastal conditions, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum 'Red' is the most visually dramatic form of the crystalline ice plant, prized for its vivid red foliage that intensifies in heat, drought and cooler conditions, creating a fiery carpet of colour across the garden. The fleshy leaves and stems are blanketed in tiny reflective bladder cells that sparkle in the sun like frost, giving the plant its iconic ice plant name.\u003cbr\u003eFrom spring through summer it produces masses of small white to pale pink daisy-like flowers that open in full sun, adding a delicate contrast against the bold red foliage. Exceptionally hardy and virtually maintenance-free, this ice plant handles poor soils, salt-laden winds, reflective heat and dry coastal conditions with ease, making it one of the toughest and most eye-catching groundcovers available for South Australian gardens.\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\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e10–20 cm H x 40–80 cm W (spreading mat-forming habit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFast; 20–40 cm spread per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThick, fleshy succulent leaves and stems covered in sparkling crystalline bladder cells; vivid red to crimson colouring that intensifies in heat, drought, cool or stressed conditions; most striking in summer and autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSmall white to pale pink multi-petalled daisy-like blooms; spring through summer; flowers open in full sun and close at night or on overcast days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNot fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGlittering red crystalline foliage year-round with white-pink flowers in spring through summer; foliage deepens to most intense red in summer heat and drought; may self-seed and return after dormancy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFlowers attract bees, hoverflies and pollinating insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eExtremely drought-tolerant; excellent heat tolerance; excellent wind tolerance; exceptional coastal salt tolerance (front-line suitable); handles reflective heat from paving and gravel; frost-sensitive and may die back in cold winters but often self-seeds and returns; tolerates poor, sandy and rocky soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTight groundcover: 4 plants per m² (50 cm spacing); Standard groundcover: 2 plants per m² (70 cm spacing); Mass planting: 30–50 cm apart for a continuous low carpet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGenerally regarded as non-toxic; discourage chewing as with all 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\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFull sun essential; best red foliage colour, flower production and crystalline sparkle achieved in full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFree-draining sandy, gravelly or rocky soils; thrives in poor coastal limestone soils common across SA; excellent in raised beds, rockeries and containers; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEstablishment: 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 to no water in cooler months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVirtually maintenance-free; trim back dead foliage after flowering if desired; allow to self-seed and naturalise in suitable spots; avoid overwatering or rich soils which cause soft, leggy growth and reduce red colouring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e1–2 years (annual to short-lived perennial) but self-seeds readily and naturalises in suitable positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIdeal for temperate, Mediterranean and coastal SA; Adelaide Plains, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, coastal regions and inland dry areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHighly adaptable; slightly acidic to strongly alkaline soils (pH 6.0–8.5); tolerates saline 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 bold red groundcover colour, soil stabilisation and crystalline foliage texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRockeries and gravel gardens where the vivid red foliage creates a dramatic contrast against pale stone and gravel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow-maintenance verges, nature strips and embankments that establish fast, tolerate neglect and hold soil on slopes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMixed succulent gardens paired with Carpobrotus, Lampranthus and Delosperma for a bold multi-textured succulent tapestry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContemporary minimalist landscapes paired with gravel, pavers and architectural plants for a fiery seasonal accent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Ice Plant is one of the most dramatic and effortless groundcovers you can plant in a South Australian garden. The vivid crimson foliage blazes in summer heat, the crystalline leaf texture sparkles in morning light, and it thrives on neglect in the exact conditions that challenge most plants, including poor soil, salt wind, relentless sun and dry summers. Set and forget; this plant only gets more impressive the tougher things get.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48948288454908,"sku":null,"price":12.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum-red-ice-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1775641896","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum-red","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}