How to grow Pigface (Horokaka) in New Zealand
Horokaka (Disphyma australe) is New Zealand's own native pigface, a low, trailing succulent found on coastal cliffs, rock stacks and beaches around the country. It forms a tough, salt-tolerant groundcover with fleshy leaves and white to pink daisy-like flowers, and it is easy to grow from rooted pieces in a sunny, free-draining spot. Grow horokaka rather than the introduced ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis), which is a banned pest plant.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pigface in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to April | |
| Auckland | September to April | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | September to April | |
| Central North Island | September to April | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | September to April | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | September to April | |
| Canterbury | September to April | |
| Otago & Southland | October to April | Plant Oct to Apr so roots establish before the hard frosts. Cover young plants on frosty nights. |
| Central Otago | November and December | Marginal. A coastal plant that hard inland frosts will kill. Grow it in a pot or a very sheltered dry spot and cover it in winter. |
Not to be confused with: Ice plant or hottentot fig (Carpobrotus edulis), a larger South African pigface with big yellow to pink flowers. It is a pest plant under the National Pest Plant Accord, smothers coastal dunes and cliffs, and must not be sold, propagated or shared. It can also hybridise with horokaka.
Where to plant
Horokaka grows naturally on coastal cliffs, rock stacks and boulder and cobble beaches throughout New Zealand. In the garden it does well in free-draining soil in a sunny site and is not fussy about fertility or moisture. It tolerates salt spray and wind, which makes it a good groundcover for coastal gardens, banks, rockeries and the edges of paths.
It is a coastal plant and dislikes hard frost and wet, heavy soil. In cold inland districts grow it in a pot or a very sheltered, dry spot.
- Northland to Canterbury, including Wellington and Nelson and Marlborough: plant from September to April. Coastal gardens suit it best.
- Otago and Southland: plant from October to April so roots establish before the hard frosts, and cover young plants on frosty nights.
- Central Otago: marginal. Hard inland frosts will kill it, so grow it in a pot or a very sheltered, dry spot, and cover it in winter.
Choosing a variety
Buy horokaka from a native plant nursery. Plants vary a lot in leaf colour, and flowers range from white to deep pink, so choose plants you like the look of. Check labels carefully: ice plant (Carpobrotus) is a banned pest plant, and some pigface sold in garden centres may be hybrids.
How to plant
- Plant rooted pieces or potted plants in a sunny, free-draining spot. In heavy soil, add grit or plant on a bank or raised bed.
- Space plants about 40 cm apart; the stems root as they spread and knit together.
- Water in, then water only until the plants are established.
- To make new plants, cut pieces of stem with roots at the nodes and replant them; fresh seed also grows easily.
Watering and feeding
Water young plants until they establish, then water only in long, dry spells. Horokaka is drought tolerant and rots in wet ground.
It needs no feeding; lean soil keeps it compact.
Pruning and care through the year
- Trim stems that spread beyond where you want them.
- Pull out any ice plant (Carpobrotus) that turns up nearby, removing all buried stems, so it does not invade or hybridise with your horokaka.
- Do not dump trimmings near the coast or reserves.
Harvesting
The plump young leaves have a salty, crunchy texture and can be picked a few at a time once plants are well established. Take leaves little and often from the tips of the stems so the plant keeps growing.
Use them fresh within two or three days. Eat them in small amounts and only from plants you know are horokaka, grown in clean soil away from roads.
Growing in pots
Horokaka grows well in a pot at least 25 cm wide filled with gritty, free-draining mix, in full sun. Water sparingly and move the pot under cover in hard frosts. Pots are the best option in cold inland districts.
Propagation and saving seed
Horokaka is easy from rooted pieces and fresh seed. Stems root freely at the nodes, so cut a rooted length and replant it in gritty mix or straight into the garden.
Pests and diseases
Horokaka has few pests or diseases in a sunny, free-draining spot. Wet soil and hard frost cause most losses.
Pigface (Horokaka) is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Root rot Stems turn soft and collapse in wet, heavy or poorly drained soil.
Common questions
Is pigface a New Zealand native?
Horokaka (Disphyma australe) is an endemic New Zealand pigface found on coasts around the country. The larger ice plant or hottentot fig (Carpobrotus edulis) is introduced and a banned pest plant.
Can I plant ice plant (Carpobrotus) in my garden?
No. Carpobrotus edulis is listed under the National Pest Plant Accord, so it must not be sold, propagated or shared. It smothers coastal dunes and cliffs and can hybridise with horokaka. Grow horokaka instead.
How do I tell horokaka from ice plant?
Horokaka is smaller, with leaves under about 4 cm long and white to pink flowers about 2 to 4 cm across. Ice plant has longer, three-angled leaves, 7 to 12 cm long, and bigger yellow flowers that age pinkish.
How do I grow horokaka?
Plant rooted pieces in a sunny spot with free-draining soil. It is not fussy about fertility, tolerates salt and wind, and needs little water once established.
Will horokaka grow inland?
In mild inland gardens with free-draining soil, yes. In districts with hard frosts, such as Central Otago, grow it in a pot or a very sheltered, dry spot.
Sources we checked: NZ Plant Conservation Network: Disphyma australe subsp. australe; Weedbusters: Ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis); Wikipedia: National Pest Plant Accord (species list).