Full Sun
Easy care
Light watering
Frost Hardy
9a
USDA zone
-7°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
30cm | Max | 4m |
20cm | Min | 20cm |
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has no fragrance


More images of Sour Fig
Sour Fig Overview
Carpobrotus edulis is a low-growing succulent with attractive yellow to pink flowers. It is popular as hardy groundcover replacing lawns in water-wise gardens. The evergreen, fleshy leaves and pretty flowers make a low maintenance alternative to cover large areas in gardens. Flowers are produced mainly during late winter to spring, creating a beautiful show with delicate rays of luminescent petals, inviting numerous insects to collect pollen. Flowers open during bright, sunny days and close again at night. The Cape Sour Fig thrives in a sunny position in well-draining soil. Although frost tender, this succulent is drought- and wind-resistant, and makes for an effective fire barrier. It grows very easily from cuttings, no rooting hormones required. They are also perfect for containers, rockeries, and embankments, creating a beautiful cascading effect with their trailing stems. The plant's sap in the leaves are harvested for medicinal purposes and fruits or "figs" are edible, a great source of Vitamin C. The plant is indigenous to southern Africa and grows along the coastline, often on sandy dunes. This plant may sometimes be referred to as "Hottentot", an offensive term that was historically used to refer to the Khoikhoi, a member of a group of indigenous peoples of South Africa and Namibia. We do not support the usage of such a term.
Common problems with Sour Fig
Heavy rain can make it susceptible to root and stem rot.
How to harvest Sour Fig
Edible fruits ripen in summer. Leaf sap can be harvested throughout the year as needed.
How to propagate Sour Fig
Layering
Place runner under the soil to form new roots and remove. The plant grows naturally by runners.
Seed
Sow seeds directly in autumn.
Cuttings
Make cuttings from the runners with a few nodes (and leaves) attached.
Special features of Sour Fig
Attracts useful insects
Drought resistant
Attractive flowers
Attractive leaves
Pioneer
Stabilising sand dunes and large areas, it creates areas space for other plants to settle in.
Pot plant
Attracts bees
Ground cover
Other uses of Sour Fig
Erosion control, ornamental, ground cover.
Medicinal
Help to relieve sunburn, blue bottle stings, insects bites and mouth inflammations.
Edible
Leaves and fruit are edible - often you'll see dried sour figs sold next to the road.