I don't know which marianas I'm growing, but my observation is that they like water in sommer, and hate it in winter. Keep them warm and well lit enough and they'll even grow in permanently wet ground.

Are we talking about MAIREANA?

I'm very sorry! Yes indeed, Maireana sedifolia. In my enthusiasm for this plant I forgot to check the spelling.

I've only seen it do well here in northern California when planted in full sun and treated as a drought tolerant shrub, although here in the SF Bay Area, we are not nearly so hot and dry in summer, and get quite abit more rain in winter. In my experience, it is very easy to rot out with too much summer water, and demands full sun and excellent drainage, and periodic irrigation just to get it established. San Marcos Growers Nursery in Santa Barbara recommends pretty much the same advice for growing in coastal California.

Well, I put 3 of them on a very dry sandy south-facing slope in full sun. Perfect drainage--it is really hard to grow anything there, the Yucca and Santolina, which I don't ever water in other parts of the garden, need some extra watering on that slope. 2 of the Maireanas look great but one looked like it was drying out so I gave it some water. It looks a bit better now. I figured that rot would be the key thing to avoid but wasn't sure. Couldn't find a lot of cultivation info on it.

Thanks!