Scientific Name
Delosperma sphalmanthoides S.A.Hammer
Common Name(s)
Tufted Ice Plant
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Delosperma
Origin
Delosperma sphalmanthoides is native to South Africa (Cape Province).
Flower
Color: Magenta
Bloom Time: Spring
Description
Delosperma sphalmanthoides is a small, compact, cold-hardy plant. It is the smallest species in the genus. Leaves are minuscule, blue-green, finger-like, held upward in a small cushion that may grow up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in height and up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. The crowded cylindrical leaves are covered in spring by magenta-colored flowers.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 5a to 9b: from −20 °F (−28.9 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Delosperma flowers grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9 and will bloom for most of 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. In fact, wet soil, especially during the winter months, is likely to kill the plants. However, this plant can become invasive in areas where the soil stays consistently dry, so it is best to consider this when planting it.
The Ice Plant can be propagated by division, cuttings, or seeds. If propagating by division, it is best to divide the plants in the spring. Cuttings can be taken anytime in the spring, summer, or fall. When grown by seeds, scatter the seeds on the soil's surface and do not cover them, as they need light to germinate.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Delosperma.
Links
- Back to genus Delosperma
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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