Guide to growing garden plants - Mesembryanthemum Fig Marigold

Members of Mesembryanthemum are half hardy annuals and perennial succulents.

They carry daisy like flowers of pink, white, red or yellow that flower from spring to the end of summer (dependent upon species).

They reach heights from 10 to 30cm making them ideal for use in rock gardens, or at the front of borders.

Some common names for Mesembryanthemum include Fig Marigold, Sea fig, Ice plant and Hottentot fig.

How to grow Fig Marigold

Fig Marigold and other Mesembryanthemum genus member seeds should be sown outdoors sequentially from just after the last frost of spring until the end of May; this will result in a long blooming period. It is best to sow the seeds on the surface into a sunny part of the garden that has good drainage. Fig Marigolds prefer a soil that is sandy and dry, ideally the soil should also have a poor nature.

If growing Fig Marigold indoors first then start the process about 3 months in advance. The seeds will take about three weeks to germinate in the dark and at a temperature of about 18 to 24 degrees Centigrade. Once growing smaller species of Mesembryanthemum can be put out following the last frost of spring at about 15cm apart, and larger varieties at about 20 to 30cm apart.

Caring for Fig Marigolds in the garden

When growing it is best to water Fig marigolds regularly, and apply a liquid fertiliser once the first round of flowering has occurred.