Delosperma cooperi or Hardy Iceplant

Care of the succulent plant Delosperma cooperi or Hardy Iceplant

The genus Delosperma, family Aizoaceae, includes 100 species of succulent plants native to South and East Africa. Some species are: Delosperma cooperi, Delosperma pruinosum, Delosperma herbeum, Delosperma lehmannii, Delosperma rileyi, Delosperma lineare, Delosperma tradescantoides, Delosperma karooicum.

Common names: Hardy Iceplant, Cooper's Hardy Ice Plant, Purple Ice Plant, Trailing Iceplant. This species is native to Orange, South Africa.

They are small succulent plants with a trail bearing that reach 15 cm (5.9") in height and 50 cm (19.68") in width. The fleshy leaves are covered with small glands, present in opposite arrangement and are cylindrical in shape. Most interesting are the abundant purple, red or pink flowers (3-5 cm/1-2" in diameter) that can cover the entire plant. Flowering lasts from late spring to late summer.

Hardy Iceplant is used in rockeries, in pots and to cover slopes and small walls. It resists pollution from big cities.

Delosperma cooperi needs full sun exposure and hot, dry weather; it's ideal for low maintenance Mediterranean gardens. It resists cold and frost well.

The soil may be poor, sandy or rocky but they are welcome to contain leaf mulch. The most important thing is that the drainage is perfect. Planting in its final place is done in early spring.

Cooper's Hardy Ice Plant is very resistant to drought and will only need watering if the summer is very hot but always waiting for the soil to have dried very well.

Purple Ice Plant does not need fertilizers.

Prune after flowering to control growth.

Delosperma cooperi resists pests and diseases very well but can rot if there is excess moisture.

Trailing Iceplant propagates by seeds, by cuttings or by layering.