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Shrubs

Carpobrotus edulis

pigface

An evergreen, spreading or trailing shrub with succulent stems that can spread to form mats 3m or more in length. Fleshy, curved leaves are triangular in cross section and up to around 15cm long. Solitary yellow flowers fading to pink to 15cm in diameter may be followed by yellow, fig-like fruits

Synonyms

Lampranthus edulis

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Aizoaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming, Trailing
Name status: Correct
Plant range: S Africa (Cape)

How to grow

Cultivation

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild IN ENGLAND WALES, NORTHERN IRELAND and the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information

Propagation

Please see cultivation notes

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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