What Type of Fertilizer Do I Use on a Disney Ice Plant?

Type of Fertilizer

• As a succulent perennial, Disneyland Ice Plant is not a particularly heavy-feeding plant. Since many gardeners grow it for its flowers, a lower-nitrogen formulation is your best bet to support strong bloom performance. Look for a slow-release or organic granular fertilizer with a guaranteed analysis of 5-10-15 or one with a similar N-P-K ratio. This will provide the plants with an ample nutritional boost for both foliage and bloom, compensating for any deficiencies in the planting soil.

Fertilizing at Planting Time

• When preparing a planting bed for Disneyland Ice Plant it is a good idea to work a generous amount of quality composted manure into the top 6 inches of soil to boost the natural fertility of the growing medium. In addition, a dose of slow-release or organic fertilizer, mixed into the top 4 to 6 inches of tilled and prepared planting soil, will work to feed the plants as they become established and over the long run. Apply the fertilizer according to the product label dosing directions. To avoid any chance of overfeeding, never use more than 1 lb. of fertilizer for every 50 square feet of planting soil.

Fertilizing Established Ice Plant

• You want to fertilize your established stands of Disneyland Ice Plant once each year, in the spring. It is important to use a light hand and abide by the 1-lb.-per-50-square-feet guideline to prevent overfeeding. If ever in doubt use less fertilizer, not more. Apply the recommended amount of fertilizer over your Disneyland Ice Plant soil evenly, casting the grains by hand but not getting the grains on the plants.

Safely Using Fertilizer on Ice Plant

• As with most succulents you want to avoid contact between applied synthetic fertilizers and the foliage of the plant. The best way to achieve this is to use slow release granular fertilizers that are coated so they will not begin releasing their nutrients until they are washed down to the soil. The other option is to use an organic fertilizer that will not harm the plants by contact. Water the ice plant well after each fertilizer application. Use a hose and sprayer attachment set on "rain" or another gentle setting. Apply just enough water to wash the fertilizer grains down to the soil between the plants but not so much as to make the soil soggy.