How to grow Pigface in Australia

Where to plant

Pigface grows naturally on coastal dunes and copes with sun, salt, wind, drought and humidity. Give it full sun or part shade in sandy, very free-draining soil. It rots quickly in wet, heavy or rich soil, so plant clay gardens on a mound or slope, or grow it in a pot of gritty mix.

It is excellent for rockeries, banks, mass plantings and stabilising sandy soil, spreading to about 2 m wide.

• South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney and Melbourne: easy on sandy soil or a raised mound. Coastal pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) is native to the dunes of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
• Adelaide and Perth: plant cuttings or tubestock from autumn into winter, after the opening rains, so roots are down before summer. Once established it needs no summer water.
• Hobart: hardy on Tasmanian coasts, where the local pigface (Carpobrotus rossii) grows wild. Plant cuttings in spring.
• Canberra: plant from spring to autumn in a sunny, very well-drained spot; it tolerates frost and poor, dry soil.
• North Queensland and Darwin: plant in the wet season in very free-draining sandy soil or a raised bed.

Choosing a variety

Choose an Australian native pigface from a native nursery. Carpobrotus glaucescens is the common east coast species, and Carpobrotus rossii, called karkalla, is widespread on southern coasts.

Avoid the South African Hottentot fig (Carpobrotus edulis), which is naturalised in Australia and has hybridised with native pigface in many coastal areas. Garden centres also sell similar succulents under the name pigface that are not Carpobrotus, so check the label.

How to plant

1. Take a cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Push it straight into sandy soil or gritty mix where it is to grow; it roots readily on its own.
3. Water once to settle it, then only lightly until new growth shows that it has rooted.
4. Space plants about 40 cm apart; they spread into a dense mat.
5. Rooted runners, layered stems and divisions of large plants can also be planted, and seed grows easily.

Watering and feeding

Water only while new plants establish, then let the soil dry out between drinks. Established pigface rarely needs watering, and overwatering is the most common way to kill it.

Do not feed. It thrives on lean, sandy soil, and fertiliser and rich soil lead to soft, rot-prone growth.

Pruning and care through the year

• Trim stray runners to keep it within bounds.
• Cut out any grey, mushy stems, a sign of rot from poor drainage, and improve drainage if they appear.
• Leave some fruit on the plant for birds and other wildlife, especially if you live near the coast.

Harvesting

Pick young, plump leaves and stem tips at any time; the plant keeps sending out new growth.

Bright pink to purple flowers appear in spring and summer. After a flower is pollinated and fades, the fruit swells and turns deep red. Pick it when it is soft and deep red, and squeeze or scoop out the sweet, salty pulp. Use leaves and fruit fresh within two to three days.

Growing in pots

Pigface grows well in a pot at least 25 cm wide, or a hanging basket or trough, filled with a gritty succulent mix, in full sun. Let the mix dry out between waterings.

Using it

Eat the fruit pulp fresh or cook it into jam. The thick, salty leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, sliced into salads or pickled; roasted leaves have been used as a salt substitute.

Propagation

Cuttings are the easiest method and root almost anywhere they touch sandy soil. Pigface can also be propagated by layering, by dividing large plants, and from seed.