General Culture:
Best grown in dry, sharply-drained soils in full sun. This plant will grow poorly or die in any soil that is not well-drained. Avoid unamended clay soils. Tolerates average to lean soils including sandy and gravelly ones. Water sparingly during the growing season. Plants have good tolerance for heat and drought. Unfortunately, plants are not reliably winter hardy to the St. Louis area where they should be sited in sheltered locations and given winter protection.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Native to South Africa, this ice plant species typically forms a vigorous, succulent, spreading, evergreen ground cover in warm winter areas of the United States. However, north of USDA Zones 7 (which includes the entire St. Louis area), it is at best semi-evergreen and is not reliably winter hardy. This is a succulent mat-forming plant that typically grows to 3” tall and spreads quickly to 24” or more. Daisy-like, bright red-purple flowers (to 2” diameter) cover the plant with bloom from June to September. The neon-like intensity of the flower color and length of bloom greatly enhance the ornamental interest of these plants. Succulent, fleshy, cylindrical, medium green leaves. Foliage is covered with transparent flakes that somewhat resemble tiny pieces of ice, hence the common name.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Aphids and mealybugs may visit. Winter hardiness is a problem in St. Louis.
Uses:
Sunny but sheltered areas of desert gardens, rock gardens, border fronts or slopes. Ground cover or edger.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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