Pronounciation: Mal-e-FOR-a LU-tee-a

Hardiness zones
Sunset 12-24
USDA 9-11

Landscape Use: Xeric ground cover for that mass bright green/yellow visual accent effect, cool season annual, container plant.

Form & Character: Procumbent, spreading, bright, vulnerable.

Growth Habit: Evergreen, herbaceous, succulent perennial, moderate growth rate, 1-inch tall with a 6-feet spread.

Foliage/Texture: Opposite and slightly united basally, bright green (dull green if drought stressed), succulent, semi-hemispherical to cylindrical, smooth fleshy leaves 1.5-inches long; medium texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Small, yellow flowers to 1 inch in diameter, flowers strongly attract bees; fruits are an inconspicuous cap.

Seasonal Color: Yellow blooms often, mostly during spring.

Temperature: No freezing temperatures, but heat loving...that is until its get really hot....I mean REAL Phoenix hot.

Light: Full sun

Soil: Yellow ice plant needs a well drained soil. If drainage is poor then dieback is common. Sandy soils are best.

Watering: Will take moderate drought. Use supplemental water to control growth rate.

Pruning: To control spread only.

Propagation: Stem cuttings

Disease and Pests: Root rot in poorly drained soil.

Additional comments: Yellow ice plant can provide a great yellow-carpeted ground cover, especially during spring. But oh, what a difference a generation makes. During the 1980s and 1990s this plant was popular in Phoenix as a winter accent succulent ground cover. Fast forward into the 21st century and no one grows it anymore.....times they do change and plants are sometimes like shoes, they go in and out of style. Perhaps someday I'll decide to remove this once popular taxon from this virtual plant library as it's rarely ever seen anymore in Phoenix.

The final verdict: Yellow ice plant DOES NOT tolerate foot traffic being subject to the big squish! It generally will last only about 2 to 3 years (at best) in Phoenix landscapes because of the summer heat which in effect burns it up!