Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
4 ratings

Wednesday - October 29, 2008

From: Kapolei, HI
Region: Other
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Invasive iceplant in Hawaii
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Last time I checked Hawaii was in North America. Invasive or not, iceplant continues to be a much used ground cover etc for golf courses, sides of the freeway and many many City and County projects probably because its cheaper to maintain as far as watering and cutting and weeding. I still could not get my question answered from the sites you sent me..how to get it to flower and how much water it needs. Thanks for any help.

ANSWER:

Sorry, we always have problems making ourselves clear. While we would like to answer all questions we receive, Mr. Smarty Plants' expertise is limited to plant species native to North America, their habitats and cultivation. Limited resources require us to decline answering questions that delve into other areas. We hope you understand.

Ice plant, by whatever name, is native to South Africa. Unfortunately, the websites we gave you were what we could find, and since it is a non-native, we do not have it in our Native Plant Database. We like to help, but we can't tell you what we don't know. It sounds like it's growing pretty well all around you without a whole lot of help.

 

More Invasive Plants Questions

Is Ruellia aggressive?
July 06, 2014 - Is Ruellia aggressive?
view the full question and answer

Killing a century plant from Burton TX
August 08, 2013 - How do you kill the century plant, they are taking over?
view the full question and answer

Advisability of growing Silybum marianum (Milk thistle)
November 26, 2013 - I just received a load of clay-mix-dirt - and after our recent rains noticed the pile sprouting what looks like "Milk Thistle." Lots of them. The leaves are spiny and variegated - quite pretty. ...
view the full question and answer

Need suggestions for replacing invasive privet in the Dallas area.
April 20, 2011 - We are removing invasive privet at a project. We will need to substitute native plants and would like to know how to find out which plants should be used. We are in the Dallas area. Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Invasive, non-native Siberian peashrub for waller TX
February 02, 2012 - Good Morning Mr. Smarty Plants! I am trying to find out if the Siberian Pea Shrub is a good plant for Southeast Texas or if it is considered an invasive no no. It seems to have many qualities for wild...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.