Plant Profile

Mesembryanthemum crystallinumMesembryanthemum crystallinum

Iceplant, also known as Iceplant, is a fast-growing plant in the Morning Glory family.

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum): plant portrait - Leafy vegetables, Aizoaceae, full sun and
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: plant portrait. harvest: June - September.

Quick profile

Key data

Growing calendar
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Indoor sowing
Direct sowing outdoors
Planting outdoors
Harvest
Indoor sowingDirect sowing outdoorsPlanting outdoorsHarvest

Suitable growing locations:

Good neighbors

tomato container edgesother drought-tolerant herbs

Avoid

high-water-demand crops

Indoor & direct sowing

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: Sowing and germination

Indoor sowing

Start warm and bright.

Direct sowing outdoors

Sow only into warm soil after frost risk.

Light germinatorNo
Dark germinatorNo
Cold germinatorNo
Stratification neededNo
Pre-soaking recommendedNo

Planting & site

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: Planting and spacing

Planting outdoors

Transplant after frost with spacing.

Lightfull sun and warm

Temperature & frost

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: Temperature and site

Lightfull sun and warm
Frost sensitiveNo
Late frost sensitiveNo

Water & nutrients

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: Water, nutrients and care

Waterlogging sensitiveNo
Mulching recommendedNo
Compost recommendedNo

Container & growth

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: Container, support and growth

Container suitableNo
SupportNo

Year plan

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Calendar

Plants
Year overview
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Indoor sowing
Direct sowing outdoors
Planting outdoors
Harvest

Relevant now

June

  • No additional single task

Next up

July

  • No additional single task

Monthly tasks

Single tasks from monthly data; repeated seasonal windows are shown in the overview above.

January

Quiet month

February

Quiet month

March

No additional single task

April

No additional single task

May

No additional single task

June

No additional single task

July

No additional single task

August

No additional single task

September

No additional single task

October

Quiet month

November

Quiet month

December

Quiet month

Flowering & pollination

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Flowering & pollination

Self-fertility

high

Pollinator needed

no

Overview

Iceplant does not require pollination by insects.

Notes

Iceplant is self-fertile and does not require pollination by insects.

Companion guide

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Companion guide

Companion guide

Good neighbors

tomato container edgesother drought-tolerant herbs

Avoid

high-water-demand crops

Use & storage

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Use & storage

Harvest

Cut leaves and shoot tips continuously.

Storage

Cool, dry storage

Storage life

Ice flowers can be stored for about 1 week.

Harvest

Cut leaves and shoot tips continuously.

Processing

After harvest

Ice flowers should be used immediately after harvesting.

Edibility & safety

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Edibility & safety

For people

In brief: which parts are edible, which parts remain risky, and whether raw consumption makes sense.

Edible parts:Flowers, Leaves
Caution parts:Seeds
Raw consumption:Ice flowers can be consumed raw.

Safety notes

No known toxic effects.

Animal safety

For many animals, this plant is generally low-risk: 10 animal types are rated suitable or mostly suitable. Quantity, plant part, and individual tolerance still matter.

Animal safety by plant part

Each row shows which parts are more suitable and which parts are critical.

Companion animals

Dog icon for animal safety ratingDog

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Overconsumption, Consumption of seeds

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Vomiting

observe

Flowers and leaves of ice plant are safe for dogs in small amounts as an occasional treat. Seeds should be avoided as their safety profile is unclear and they may cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed in excess. If large amounts are ingested or symptoms occur, consult a veterinarian.

Open animal page
Cat icon for animal safety ratingCat

No suitable parts listed

No risk parts listed

unknown

Flowers and leaves of ice plant are safe for cats and can be occasionally fed as a treat. Seeds should be avoided due to possible intolerance. Consumption of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.

Open animal page
Rabbit icon for animal safety ratingRabbit

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Seed ingestion

usually no action needed

Flowers and leaves of ice plant can be given to rabbits as an occasional treat. Seeds should be avoided due to possible mucosal irritation. Overconsumption of leaves may lead to soft stool due to high water and salt content.

Open animal page
Guinea pig icon for animal safety ratingGuinea pig

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Seed ingestion

observe

Flowers and leaves can be fed in small amounts as a treat. Seeds should be avoided due to possible oxalic acid or other compounds. No specific poisoning symptoms documented in small mammals, but caution advised due to possible gastrointestinal irritation from overfeeding.

Open animal page
Hamster icon for animal safety ratingHamster

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Seed ingestion

usually no action needed

No direct species-specific source was found for hamsters. This is a cautious inference from the rabbits profile and the known plant-part risks.

Open animal page
Budgie icon for animal safety ratingBudgie

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Seed ingestion

observe

Flowers and leaves of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum are suitable for budgies in small amounts as an occasional treat. Seeds should be avoided as their safety profile is unclear and they may be harmful. No known toxic compounds in the edible parts.

Open animal page

Farm animals

Horse icon for animal safety ratingHorse

No suitable parts listed

No risk parts listed

unknown

Ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) is suitable as forage for horses. Flowers and leaves can be fed raw. Seeds should be avoided due to potential oxalic acid. No known toxic effects observed with normal feeding.

Open animal page
Chicken icon for animal safety ratingChicken

No suitable parts listed

No risk parts listed

unknown

Flowers and leaves of ice plant are suitable for chickens in small amounts as a treat. Seeds should be avoided as their safety profile is unclear. No known toxic compounds or symptoms observed with flower and leaf consumption. For seed ingestion, observe and contact vet if symptoms occur.

Open animal page
Duck icon for animal safety ratingDuck

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Avoid seed consumption

usually no action needed

Flowers and leaves of ice plant are edible for ducks in moderation and are occasionally consumed as a treat. Seeds should be avoided due to possible oxalates or other compounds, although no specific poisoning cases in ducks are documented. As a conservative classification, seed ingestion is considered a risk.

Open animal page
Goose icon for animal safety ratingGoose

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Avoid seed consumption

usually no action needed

No direct species-specific source was found for geese. This is a cautious inference from the ducks profile and the known plant-part risks.

Open animal page
Sheep icon for animal safety ratingSheep

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Seed ingestion

usually no action needed

Flowers and leaves of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum are suitable for sheep in small amounts as an occasional treat. Seeds should be avoided as their safety profile is unclear. No known toxic compounds or symptoms from leaf or flower consumption. For seed ingestion, observe and contact vet if symptoms occur.

Open animal page
Goat icon for animal safety ratingGoat

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Seed ingestion

usually no action needed

Flowers and leaves of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum are edible for goats in moderation with no known toxic effects. Seeds should be avoided as their safety profile is unclear.

Open animal page
Cattle icon for animal safety ratingCattle

Flowers, Leaves

Seeds

Risk factors

Avoid seed consumption

usually no action needed

Flowers and leaves can be fed in small amounts as treats; seeds should be avoided due to possible oxalates or other compounds. No serious poisoning cases reported.

Open animal page
Pig icon for animal safety ratingPig

No suitable parts listed

No risk parts listed

unknown

Flowers and leaves of ice plant can be fed in moderation as a treat, but seeds should be avoided due to possible oxalates or other compounds. Consumption of large amounts may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Open animal page

These guidelines are for general information only and do not replace veterinary diagnosis. If critical plant parts were ingested or the animal shows unusual behaviour or symptoms, seek veterinary advice.

Max risk

unknown

Highest status

not established

Urgency

unknown

Saving seed

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Saving seed

Storage

Seeds should be stored in a cool, dry place.

Method

Method: dry, Notes: Seeds should be stored dry.

Health

Pests, Diseases

Diagnosis help

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Diagnosis help

Pest groups

Disease groups

Prevention

Diagnosis

Assess symptoms together with site, weather, and growth stage.

FAQ

Is Mesembryanthemum crystallinum safe for Dog?

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is classified as moderation only for Dog. Risk: unknown. Urgency: observe. Flowers and leaves of ice plant are safe for dogs in small amounts as an occasional treat. Seeds should be avoided as their safety profile is unclear and they may cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed in excess. If large amounts are ingested or symptoms occur, consult a veterinarian.

Is Mesembryanthemum crystallinum safe for Cat?

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is classified as not established for Cat. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. Flowers and leaves of ice plant are safe for cats and can be occasionally fed as a treat. Seeds should be avoided due to possible intolerance. Consumption of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.

Is Mesembryanthemum crystallinum safe for Rabbit?

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is classified as moderation only for Rabbit. Risk: unknown. Urgency: usually no action needed. Flowers and leaves of ice plant can be given to rabbits as an occasional treat. Seeds should be avoided due to possible mucosal irritation. Overconsumption of leaves may lead to soft stool due to high water and salt content.

Is Mesembryanthemum crystallinum safe for Guinea pig?

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is classified as moderation only for Guinea pig. Risk: unknown. Urgency: observe. Flowers and leaves can be fed in small amounts as a treat. Seeds should be avoided due to possible oxalic acid or other compounds. No specific poisoning symptoms documented in small mammals, but caution advised due to possible gastrointestinal irritation from overfeeding.

Sources

Public sources

  1. Wikidata entity

    Wikidata · 2026-05-13

  2. GBIF species match

    GBIF · 2026-05-13

  3. Deutschsprachige Wikipedia: Eiskraut

    Wikipedia · 2026-05-13

  4. English Wikipedia: Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

    Wikipedia · 2026-05-13

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