Disphyma spp.

pigface

Aizoaceae

Coastal South Africa, southern Australia, New Zealand

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Disphyma spp. is a genus of about four species of mat-forming succulent perennials in the ice-plant family (Aizoaceae), native to coastal regions of South Africa, southern Australia, and New Zealand. Trailing stems root at the nodes and spread into dense ground-hugging mats only 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) high but several feet across. The fleshy leaves are three-sided and finger-like, 0.6-1.6 inches (1.5-4 cm) long, green to grey-green and often flushed red in sun or drought. Many-petalled daisy-like flowers 0.8-1.6 inches (2-4 cm) wide open in pink, magenta, purple, or white, mostly through spring and summer, and close at night. D. crassifolium, round-leaved pigface, is widespread on coastal cliffs, dunes, and saltmarsh. The genus tolerates salt spray, sand, and drought, storing water in its leaves. Mats spread quickly and can overrun smaller plants in mild coastal gardens.

Native Range

Disphyma spp. is native to coastal South Africa, southern Australia, and New Zealand, where it grows on cliffs, dunes, rocky shores, and saltmarsh. Plants occupy exposed, saline, free-draining sites near the sea.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a succulent groundcover on banks, coastal gardens, rockeries, and green roofs, and for binding sand and stabilising slopes. The salt and drought tolerance suits seaside plantings and low-water landscapes.

How to Identify

Recognised by trailing succulent stems rooting at the nodes, three-sided finger-like fleshy leaves, and many-petalled daisy-like flowers in pink to purple. The leaves often redden in sun and drought. The combination of a flat coastal mat habit and ice-plant flowers separates it from the larger-leaved Carpobrotus spp. pigfaces.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 6"

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs mainly through spring and summer, with many-petalled flowers opening in sun and closing at night and in dull weather. Bloom is heaviest in bright, warm conditions on established mats. Scattered flowers can appear outside the main season in mild coastal climates.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink, magenta, purple, or white

Foliage Description

green to grey-green, reddening in sun

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

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Disphyma spp. grows in full sun in light, sharply drained sandy or rocky soil, including saline and nutrient-poor coastal ground. Plants store water in their fleshy leaves and tolerate drought, salt spray, and wind once established. Wet, heavy, shaded soils cause rot and weak, sparse growth. Mats spread fast from rooting stems and need room to run or regular trimming at the edges. The genus has low frost tolerance and is damaged by hard freezes, suiting mild and coastal climates. Little feeding or watering is needed once plants are settled.

Pruning

Trimming the spreading edges keeps mats within bounds and can be done at any time in mild weather. Old, woody, or frost-damaged sections are cut out and readily replaced by new rooting stems. No formal pruning is otherwise required.