Consulta Plantas

Care of the succulent plant Lampranthus spectabilis or Trailing Ice Plant

The genus Lampranthus, family Aizoaceae, comprises 250 species of succulent plants native to southern Africa. Some species are: Lampranthus spectabilis, Lampranthus zeyheri, Lampranthus multiradiatus, Lampranthus falcatus, Lampranthus blandus, Lampranthus aureus, Lampranthus amoenus.

Common name: Trailing Ice Plant. Scientific synonyms: Mesembryanthemum spectabilis. This species is native to South Africa.

They are succulent plants with a creeping bearing with reddish stems that reach 20 cm (7.87") in height. The small, fleshy, triangular leaves are bluish-green in color and have almost transparent dots that look like dew. They produce abundant and showy bright purple or red flowers. They bloom from late spring to early summer.

They are used in rockeries, to cover dry slopes and in pots for terraces and balconies. They are ideal for coastal gardens with a Mediterranean climate. They resist pollution from cities.

Lampranthus spectabilis needs very sunny exposure to produce abundant flowering. They resist occasional frosts down to -7 ºC (19.4 ºF).

These fast-growing plants grow in any type of well-drained soil, even poor, calcareous soils. Planting or transplanting is done in spring.

They are very resistant to drought; water occasionally if the summer is very dry and hot.

Fertilize in late winter with compost.

Prune withered flowers.

They are sensitive plants to excess humidity.

Renew plants every 4 years from cuttings in early fall in their final location or from seeds sown in late winter.

Images of the succulent plant Lampranthus spectabilis or Trailing Ice Plant