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Pigface

Pigface is the ground cover for the places that defeat other plants: beach front sand, hot dry banks, salty wind and reflected heat. It makes a thick mat of fleshy leaves that holds soil and shades out weeds, then covers itself in glossy daisy like flowers in pink, mauve, magenta, red, yellow or white. This range includes native pigface and the smaller ice plants. Every plant is delivered Australia wide.

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How to choose a pigface

Size of leaf and spread are the difference. Native pigface, Carpobrotus, has thick three sided leaves and large pink to purple flowers, and each plant spreads up to 2m, which makes it the choice for dunes, batters and big areas. Aussie Rambler is a selected form with very large pink flowers. Round leaf pigface is another native, finer and flatter, with small pink flowers and a high tolerance of salt and wet. The ice plants are neater, spreading about a metre with masses of smaller flowers, and they bring the widest colour range: mauve, magenta, pink, white, yellow and the vivid red pigface.

Where pigface works

Full sun is essential: the flowers open in sunshine and close in shade. Beyond that it asks for drainage and nothing more. Use it on coastal blocks, steep banks, the tops of retaining walls, nature strips, roof gardens and wide pots. It handles drought, salt spray and poor sandy soil, and takes light frost. It is one of the most reliable coastal and salt tolerant plants and one of the fastest in our ground cover range.

Planting and spacing

Space native pigface about 1m apart and ice plants 50cm to 60cm apart for full cover within a season or two. On a slope, plant in staggered rows. Water in well, then weekly for the first month. No soil improvement is needed in sand; in clay, plant on a raised bed.

Care basics

Pigface needs almost no care. Water only in long dry spells once established, and do not feed heavily, which gives leaf at the expense of flower. Trim the edges where it reaches paths. If the centre of an old mat thins after several years, cut it back or replant pieces: stems root wherever they touch the soil.

Common questions

How fast does pigface spread?

Fast. In a warm, sunny position each plant can cover a square metre or more in its first year.

When does pigface flower?

The main show is spring into early summer, with flowers on and off through the warm months.

Does pigface grow in sand?

Yes. It grows naturally on dunes and is one of the best plants for holding sandy soil near the coast.

Does pigface need watering?

Only while it establishes. After that rainfall is usually enough, even in dry summers.