Aizoon spp.

Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Australia

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Aizoon is a genus of low, succulent herbs in the family Aizoaceae, with roughly a dozen annual and perennial species spread across Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Australia. Growth is prostrate to weakly ascending, forming fleshy mats 5-20 cm (2-8 in) high and spreading 20-60 cm (8-24 in) across. The thick, water-storing leaves are spoon-shaped to flat, 1-4 cm (0.4-1.6 in) long, often grey-green and dotted with tiny glistening surface cells. Small star-shaped flowers, 5-15 mm wide, sit in the leaf axils or stem forks; they lack true petals, the colour coming from five yellow to whitish sepal lobes. The fruit is a woody capsule that opens when wetted to release seed. Aizoon occupies dry, often saline ground such as coastal sands, semi-desert flats, and disturbed arid soils, and survives long droughts by storing water in its foliage. Annual species complete their cycle quickly after rain, while perennials persist as low woody-based mats. Plants decline in moist, fertile, or shaded conditions.

Native Range

Native to Africa, especially the drier regions of southern and northern Africa, and extending to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Australia.

Suggested Uses

Grown in rock gardens, coastal and gravel plantings, and containers where a drought- and salt-tolerant succulent groundcover suits the site. Some species are used to stabilize bare sandy or saline ground.

How to Identify

Look for low succulent mats with thick spoon-shaped grey-green leaves and small star-shaped flowers that lack petals, their five yellow to whitish lobes opening 5-15 mm wide. The fleshy stems root where they touch the ground, and the woody seed capsules open only when wetted.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 8"

Width/Spread8" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering follows rainfall, mainly in spring and summer, and desert annuals bloom within weeks of germination. The small petalless flowers open by day in sun. Seed capsules ripen and dry, then split open when later rains arrive.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most species grow in full sun on sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or saline soils and tolerate heat, salt spray, and prolonged drought. They store water in their leaves and rot in wet or poorly drained ground. No feeding is needed, and rich soils produce soft growth. Annual species reseed freely after rain, while perennial species spread as creeping mats. Frost tolerance is low in most species, which originate in warm, dry climates.