Botanical name:

Disphyma australe

Common name(s):

Horokaka, native ice plant, New Zealand ice plant

About:

A coastal plant that thrives on cliffs and rocky shores throughout the diverse landscapes of New Zealand, this species features thick, fleshy, triangular leaves that contribute to its unique appearance. The daisy-like flowers of this plant create a stunning display, offering vibrant colour and visual interest for an extended duration, from spring through autumn. Each flower measures approximately 3cm in width and showcases a delightful range of colours, varying from soft mauve pink to bright white. It serves as an attractive ground cover plant, making it a wonderful choice for coastal areas or for those dry, sunny spots in gardens where other plants may struggle to thrive.

Natural habitat:

Coastal (rarely inland). Mostly on cliff faces, rock stacks, and boulder/cobble beaches, more rarely in salt-marsh and estuaries. Often in petrel scrub on offshore islands, and extending into coastal forest around petrel burrows. Occasionally on limestone or sandstone cliffs in lowland forest.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Salt, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Three Kings, North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands.

Height: 10cm

Flowering:

Throughout the year with a pinkish white coloured flower/s

Fruiting: Throughout the year

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings, Pioneer Plantings, Flowers & Ground cover

How to grow:

Easy from rooted pieces and fresh seed. Does well in free draining soil within a sunny site. Not fussy about soil fertility or moisture regime. Some cultivar selection might be necessary as there is a diverse range of foliage colours, and flower colour ranges from white to fully pink.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though