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Aizoaceae
Hottentot Fig
Carpobrotus edulis
Tenacity and coastal endurance.
- Family
- Aizoaceae
- Genus
- Carpobrotus
- Native to
- South Africa
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- succulent perennial ground cover
- Height
- 10–20 cm (spreads to 200 cm wide)
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- sandy, poor, well-drained
- Water
- low; drought-tolerant
- Hardiness
- 9–11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Originally planted worldwide for erosion control, it has become one of the most damaging invasive species in Mediterranean climates.
- The fleshy fruits are edible with a fig-like taste; 'edulis' means 'edible' and South Africans make jam from them.
- A single plant can spread to cover 50 square meters, smothering native vegetation under dense mats.
- The succulent leaves were traditionally used by the Khoikhoi people as an antiseptic for burns and wounds.
- Its flowers are among the largest in the ice plant family, spanning up to 10 cm across.
Color meanings
Yellow
sun-loving resilience
Magenta
bold survival