Native Pigface

Native Pigface is an easy-to-grow, succulent, groundcover with large, pink flowers.

Small Plants Groundcover Suitable for Pots

Noongar Name: Bain

Scientific Name: Carpobrotus virescens

Performance: Easy to grow

Size: Groundcover spreading to 3m with a maximum height up to 30cm

Flower: Pink-Purple

Flowering Time: Makuru – Birak (Jun – Jan)

Natural Distribution: Grows locally in the Perth region

: Carpobrotus virescens (CC BY 4.0) botanygirl

: Carpobrotus virescens (CC BY-NC 4.0) overlander

: Carpobrotus virescens 1 – Perth NRN

Growing at a Glance

See Growing Guide for more detail

Position: Adaptable to sunny and light-shade positions

Watering: A waterwise, drought-hardy plant.

Feeding: Fertiliser not required.

Pruning: Generally not needed.

Growing Guide

Ideal Position

Native Pigface is versatile, enjoying a range of positions. Suitable for denser plantings and will perform well in full sun or light shade.

Native Pigface is ideally placed at the front of your garden bed.

When to Plant and Watering

Plant young seedlings in Djeran (mid-Autumn) prior to the Makuru rains (Winter). Avoid planting in the hottest times of the year.
Seedlings should be watered twice a week over their first summer in the garden. It is important to ensure water penetrates down into the root-zone.

We recommend using a soil wetting agent as Perth soils are often ‘water repellent’, or do not absorb water effectively.
A layer of composted, coarse mulch can help in getting your garden started. It will help by reducing water loss and suppressing the growth of weeds.

Native Pigface are waterwise, drought-hardy plants and do not require supplementary water once established.

Native Pigface should be grouped with other waterwise, drought-hardy plants.

Feeding and Soil Care

Native Pigface don’t need fertiliser because they are adapted to grow in our local soils, which are typically low in nutrients.
Plants will benefit from adding some vegetable-based compost (avoid those with manure) into the soil at planting.
As your garden develops, practice ‘cut and drop’ when you prune your plants. The leaf and branch material that falls to the ground slowly breaks down over time, releasing nutrients to help your garden to grow.

How to Prune

Native Pigface can be pruned back hard to correct its form or rejuvenate it.
Up to a third of its foliage can be removed using pruning shears or secateurs.
Woody branches can be removed at their base using a set of loppers or a sharp pruning saw.