Great as a gift 🌸
Ice Plant
Oscularia piquetbergensis · Aizoaceae
How it looks
Ice Plant (Oscularia piquetbergensis) is a succulent with slender, cylindrical fleshy leaves set opposite along the stem, and showy daisy- or chrysanthemum-like flowers in pink, orange, and yellow at the branch tips. The flowers open fully only in sunlight. Height 4-8 in (10-20 cm).
Oscularia piquetbergensis is the succulent the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats under the name "Ice Plant". The scientific name printed in that entry, Lampranthus piquet, is a truncated form that appears in no botanical name index; cross-checking identifies the plant behind it as this species. Since that is what the evidence points to, the non-toxic verdict stands.
Guide for parents
One note on species first. This page rests on the ASPCA verdict for Oscularia piquetbergensis, listed there as "Ice Plant". The ground cover planted in Korean beds under the name songyeopguk is Lampranthus spectabilis, a plant from a different genus altogether, and it has its own entry in this app.
Even with a safe plant, make a habit of picking up fallen leaves the same day.
If your cat likes to dig in or eat potting soil, fertilizer ingredients can upset their stomach — covering the soil with pebbles works well.
If it comes home as a cut stem, florists often treat it with preservatives, so place the vase where your cat can't drink the water.
Details
- Scientific name
- Oscularia piquetbergensis
- Common name
- Ice Plant
- Family
- Aizoaceae
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Related plants
Same plant family· Aizoaceae
Other safe flowers
Related guides
7 Cat-Safe Flowers to Give a Cat Owner
Want to give flowers to a friend or family member who has a cat? Here are 7 flowers that are both beautiful and safe for cats.
Why Cats Chew Plants, and How to Stop It
A cat chewing and tearing at plants isn't just mischief — there's an instinct behind it. Once you understand why, the ways to stop it follow naturally.