How to Grow Pig Face

The old adage 'never judge a book by its cover' rings true for the humble Pigface. Often overlooked due to their unfortunate common name, these hero plants of the Australian garden not only provide an abundance of bright and cheerful flowers in Spring (that bees just love!), they also play an important role as a soil stabiliser around our beaches. Due to their love of salty and harsh conditions, pigfaces are great to have around pools, cascading over the edges of hanging baskets or just as an attractive ground cover. Better yet, the leaves and fruit are also edible adding a delicious salty taste to your garden salads.

Part shade to full sun

Water every few days when young, drought tolerant once established

Well drained soil

Best grown in warm and temperate frost free climates

How to grow pig face in your garden

Step 1

Choose a well-drained spot in the garden that attracts full sun to part shade.

Step 2

Enrich the soil in the planting bed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser before planting.

Step 3

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.

Step 4

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 5

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.

Step 6

Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

How to grow pig face in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot at least twice the size of the root-ball. Position in full sun to part shade and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 2

Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 4

Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Pigface Growing Tips

Pigface are great to grow from stem cuttings. Their ability to strike quickly makes them perfect for kids or first time propagators.
For an easy care display, plant them in Yates Tuscan Self Watering Hanging Baskets. As they grow they will creep their way over the edge creating a cascade effect.
Perfect for poor soils, around swimming pools or areas where soil erosion is common.
In cooler climates, grow them in pots so that they can be moved to sheltered positions in the winter months.
Prune well in winter to promote an abundance of Spring growth.