{"product_id":"crystal-ice-leaf-mesembryanthemum-crystallinum","title":"Crystal Ice Leaf — Mesembryanthemum crystallinum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy I grow it\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI love growing unusual edible plants, particularly ones that make people stop and ask what on earth they're looking at!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal Ice Leaf is one of those wonderful plants that manages to be both beautiful and useful. Its fleshy leaves are covered in tiny, glistening, crystal-like cells that make the whole plant look as though it's been sprinkled with frost.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's a fascinating addition to a potager and something a little different to bring into the kitchen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Edible succulent, usually grown as an annual\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVariety:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Crystal Ice Leaf\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Low-growing, spreading and succulent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeaves:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fleshy green leaves covered in sparkling, crystal-like cells\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mild, fresh and naturally salty, with a juicy crunch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood for:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Salads, edible landscaping, containers and unusual kitchen gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInventory:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 4 plants\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the garden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal Ice Leaf is a lovely choice for a sunny, well-drained spot in the potager or a container near the kitchen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts spreading habit makes it particularly interesting along the edge of a bed, where you can appreciate the unusual texture of the leaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's also a good conversation starter — there aren't many vegetables that look as though they're covered in tiny diamonds!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the kitchen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tender leaves and young stems can be eaten fresh, adding a crisp, slightly salty bite to salads.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTry them alongside tomatoes, cucumber and fresh herbs, or use a few leaves as an unusual garnish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir sparkling appearance makes them particularly lovely on a plate, and the natural saltiness means they work well with simple dressings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFull sun and very well-drained soil. Water while establishing, then allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid waterlogged conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal Ice Leaf is frost-tender, so plant outside once the risk of frost has passed or grow in a container that can be moved into shelter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvest tender leaves as needed, taking care not to remove too much growth at once.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat you’ll receive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne Crystal Ice Leaf plant, grown from seed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlants naturally vary in size and shape and may be supplied in reused nursery pots or growing bags — perfectly useful plastic doesn't need replacing simply because it doesn't match\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A Garden Between","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68181312307423,"sku":null,"price":7.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/8279\/7023\/files\/Screenshot2026-10-21at7.11.54AM.png?v=1792519974","url":"https:\/\/agardenbetween.com\/products\/crystal-ice-leaf-mesembryanthemum-crystallinum","provider":"A Garden Between","version":"1.0","type":"link"}