How to Grow Pigface in Australia
A year-round leafy crop for the home garden
Growing Pigface rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated beginner to grow. Nearly free to grow. Cuttings root easily. Drought-proof native groundcover.
This guide covers when to plant Pigface in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Pigface is a year-round crop, half-hardy (it takes light frost but not a hard freeze). In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January, February and March. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Pigface full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 5.5 to 8. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 25cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 40 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 14 days, fastest when the soil is between 18 and 30 degrees.
Carpobrotus glaucescens. Australian native coastal succulent. Incredibly drought-hardy. Pink-purple flowers are edible and sweet. Salty succulent leaves eaten raw or cooked. Fruit tastes like salty fig. Perfect groundcover for hot, dry, sandy spots where nothing else grows.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 2 L per plant every 7 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Few. The main diseases to watch are Few. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Pigface is typically ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months). Use flowers and leaves fresh within 2-3 days. Fruit eaten fresh.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, pigface is good flowers eaten fresh as a sweet snack, leaves added to salads (salty, succulent), fruit eaten fresh (salty-sweet fig flavour) and leaves used as a native green in cooking. Nutritionally: edible flowers, leaves and fruit and extremely drought-tolerant native.
Track Your Pigface Growing
Add pigface to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Pigface in Australia?
Pigface is a year-round crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January, February and March. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Pigface take to grow?
Pigface is generally ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Pigface in a pot?
Yes. Pigface grows well in a container of 25cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Pigface need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Pigface in the Plant Library
