The ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis) is a coastal succulent shrub native to South Africa, where the climate closely resembles that of coastal California.

The plant opened in 1976 and has been churning out Thrifty Ice Cream ever since. Some cartons of Thrifty Ice Cream still adorn the shelves in Los Osos, Calif., on June 1, 2025.

The ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis) is a coastal succulent shrub native to South Africa, ... “Iceplant was introduced to California in the early 1900s ...