Delosperma
Common name: Ice plant · Hardy ice plant
Delosperma is a genus of mat-forming succulents in the Aizoaceae family, native to southern Africa, especially South Africa and the high mountains of Lesotho. The plants carry fleshy, often glistening leaves and produce masses of daisy-like flowers in magenta, pink, yellow, orange, or white that shimmer in the sun. They are grown as drought-tolerant groundcovers and rock-garden plants, valued for blooming over a long season. Unlike most succulents, many Delosperma species are surprisingly cold-hardy when given sharp drainage.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun; needs at least 6 hours of direct light to flower well
Water
Water deeply but infrequently; let soil dry out completely between waterings
Soil
Gritty, sharply drained, low-humus mix; wet winter soil is fatal
Hardiness
Zones 5–10
Mature height
5–15 cm (2–6 in)
Pet safe
ASPCA lists ice plant as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses
Propagation
By stem cuttings in late spring or summer; also division or seed
Fun facts
- The glistening "ice" comes from tiny bladder cells on the leaves that refract light like frost crystals.
- Delosperma nubigenum grows in the Drakensberg mountains above 3000 m (10000 ft), where it endures hard frosts and snow.
- Cold-hardy cultivars like Fire Spinner were developed through the Plant Select program at Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado State University.
- The name Delosperma means "visible seed," because its seed capsules open to reveal the seeds when wet by rain.
Common problems
References
- Plants of the World Online - Delosperma POWO
- Wikipedia - Delosperma Wikipedia