Delosperma nubigenum (Hardy Yellow Ice Plant)

Scientific Name

Delosperma nubigenum (Schltr.) L. Bolus

Common Names

Ice Plant, Hardy Ice Plant, Hardy Yellow Ice Plant, Yellow Ice Plant

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum nubigenum (basionym)

Scientific Classification

Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Delosperma

Flower

Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Late spring

Description

Delosperma nubigenum forms a low mat of succulent leaves, bearing loads of small starry yellow flowers in late spring. The evergreen leaves are thick, oblong or linear, and fleshy. Each leaf is 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and one 0.25 inch (6 mm) wide. They are fat and succulent, thus making them drought tolerant. This groundcover only grows to 2 inches (5 cm) tall but can spread as wide as 36 inches (90 cm).

How to Grow and Care

Delosperma flowers grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9 and will bloom for most of the summer and fall. Their foliage is mostly evergreen, and, because of this, they make a great year-round ground cover. While the plant is evergreen, it will often have some dieback of foliage in the winter. Delospermas prefer full sun but can tolerate some light shade in the garden. Because Delospermas are succulents, they do not tolerate wet soil, though they do well in poor soils. Wet soil, especially during the winter months, is likely to kill the plants. In areas where the soil stays consistently dry, this plant can become invasive, so it is best to consider this when planting it.

The Ice Plant can be propagated by division, cuttings or seeds. See more at How to Grow and Care for Delosperma.

Origin

Native to South Africa.

Links

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