Hottentot-fig (Carpobrotus edulis)

Robust groundcover plant from South Africa

Characteristics

The Hottentot-fig, also known as sour fig or vygie, is a close relative of the ice plant. It grows as a creeper. Its meter-long shoots form dense carpets. It has fleshy, triangular leaves that serve as water reservoirs. Our plants bloom in yellow and pink. It is used as a groundcover and to stabilize slopes.

Location

Requires full sun; tolerant of heat and wind. Prefers sandy, well-drained, and nutrient-poor soil. Drought-resistant. It is not bothered by high salt content in the soil.

Uses

The juice from the leaves has a cooling and antiseptic effect. It is traditionally used for insect bites, sunburn, minor skin inflammations, and wounds, and its effects appear to be similar to those of aloe vera. Apparently, you can eat the leaves raw after peeling them. We haven’t tried that yet, though. The Hottentot fig is said to produce fruits that taste sweet-sour to salty and can be used to make jam. Our plants haven’t borne fruit yet, but the flowers taste very good too…

Observations

The plant is considered an invasive species in Southern Europe and California. But well, every plant seeks out its own habitat. So far, it hasn’t overgrown our finca; instead, it covers dry areas in a pleasant way. Sometimes it withers when it hasn’t rained for a long time. Then it doesn’t look so pretty anymore. And when it rains again, a new layer pushes its way over the withered plants, and everything is fine again…