It is native to South Africa and can withstand heat and drought. It can be grown in
USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8; however, it is sometimes damaged in zones 5 and 6,
but rapidly recovers. It is an excellent ground cover for hot, dry, sunny areas, but it succumbs to
heavy soil or excess moisture. The succulent leaves are quite attractive, but the purple flowers
put on a show for much of the summer. You can find hardy ice plant in the
Gotelli Collection of Dwarf and Slow-Growing Conifers and in a container
near the Administration Building.