Delosperma is a genus in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae) native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These plants are low-growing and spread 1-2 feet. The foliage is sedum-like on pendulous stems and the flowers are 1- to 2-inch-wide showy flowers in various colors. They bloom June through October, and the plant is very drought and heat-tolerant. Use these plants as a ground cover, in the front border as edging, in rock gardens, or in containers. They need full sun and very well-drained soils. Do not overwater or fertilize. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 3 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Prostrate; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Glistening medium to dark green leaves; nearly cylindrical in cross-section. Leaves have bladder-like hairs on the leaf surface that reflects light making them glisten.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
1-2 inch flowers have several rays around the center disc flowers in a variety of colors
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green spreading stems with short hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Africa, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Patio; Slope/Bank; Small Space