How to Replace Grass With Ice Plants

Ice plant (Carpobrotus chilensis) requires little water and will survive in a drought that would kill off a regular grass lawn. Unlike grass, it is a succulent plant and its fleshy tissue absorbs water and holds it during periods between rains. In addition to drought resistance, ice plant has colorful blooms. Ice plant is not a native plant but comes from South Africa and will damage native plants in the area. Ice plant concentrates salts in the surface of the soil, making it too saline for other species. You should therefore use ice plant with caution only in places where natives aren't suitable.

Sod removal tool
Rake
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Assess the site for suitability for ice plant. Ice plant requires full sun and excellent drainage, preferring a sandy soil. In addition, ice plant is an annual that is not cold hardy, only overwintering in United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11.
- 2
  Remove the sod with the sod removal tool. To use the tool properly, slide the flat blade under the sod like using a spatula under an omelet. Shear through the roots separating the grass mat from the soil beneath by moving the sod remover around the grass. You will lose 2 to 3 inches of soil but you can compost the sod.
- 3
  Dig holes slightly larger than the ice plant pot and to the same depth with the trowel. Space the holes every 12 inches.
- 4
  Turn the pot upside down and tap or shake out the ice plant while holding your hand beneath the plant to keep it from falling.
- 5
  Place the ice plant in the hole so that the top of the soil is at the same level as where it was when the plant was in the pot.
- 6
  Firm the soil around the ice plant.
- 7
  Water lightly to remove air pockets when planting, and only in times of extreme drought if the plants appear distressed.

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