Ice plants are popular succulent ground covers known for their vibrant flowers and drought tolerance. This listicle explores 10 distinct ice plant varieties, detailing their unique characteristics and growing needs. Whether you’re a gardener looking to add colorful, low-maintenance plants or a succulent enthusiast seeking variety, this guide will help you understand the best ice plants for your landscape.
Delosperma cooperi (Hardy Ice Plant)
Delosperma cooperi is one of the most common and widely cultivated ice plants, prized for its bright magenta-purple flowers and succulent foliage. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating drought and poor conditions, making it ideal for rock gardens and erosion control. This variety is hardy to USDA zone 5, which is unusually cold-tolerant for an ice plant, allowing gardeners in cooler climates to enjoy its vivid blooms.
Delosperma nubigenum (Yellow Ice Plant)
Delosperma nubigenum stands out with its cheerful yellow flowers that bloom profusely in summer. It features low-growing, mat-forming succulent leaves that are bright green, creating a striking contrast with the flowers. This variety is also cold hardy to around USDA zone 5 and requires excellent drainage to prevent root rot, making it suitable for rockeries and sunny borders.
Delosperma ‘Mesa Verde’
‘Mesa Verde’ is a hybrid ice plant variety known for its chartreuse-green foliage and pale pink to lavender flowers. Unlike many other ice plants, its leaves maintain a lighter, almost lime-green color year-round, adding unique texture and color to the garden. It’s drought-resistant and thrives in full sun, making it a versatile choice for ground cover or container planting.
Delosperma echinatum (Pickle Plant)
Delosperma echinatum is distinguished by its spiky, cylindrical leaves covered in fine hairs, giving it a fuzzy, almost reptilian appearance. It produces small, bright pink to purple daisy-like flowers in summer. This variety prefers warmer climates and is often grown as a houseplant or in containers where drainage and temperature can be controlled.
Lampranthus spectabilis (Trailing Ice Plant)
Lampranthus spectabilis is a trailing succulent renowned for its large, daisy-like flowers in shades of orange, pink, and red. It forms dense mats that can cover rocky slopes or walls, providing brilliant seasonal color. This variety tolerates heat and drought well but is less cold-hardy than Delosperma species, thriving best in USDA zones 9 to 11.
Delosperma ‘Jewel of Desert Red’
This cultivar is favored for its intense red flowers that bloom abundantly from late spring through fall. It has low, spreading growth with fleshy green leaves and is highly drought-tolerant once established. ‘Jewel of Desert Red’ is suitable for xeriscaping and rock gardens, adding a vibrant splash of color to dry areas.
Delosperma ‘Sundial’
‘Sundial’ is a compact ice plant variety with bright yellow flowers and succulent, needle-like foliage. It blooms profusely in warm months and is known for its heat tolerance and ability to thrive in sandy, poor soils. This variety works well as a ground cover in sunny borders or mixed succulent gardens.
Delosperma ‘Fire Spinner’
‘Fire Spinner’ features striking orange-red flowers with a dark center, creating a fiery display from late spring to early fall. Its low-growing habit and fleshy, gray-green leaves make it an excellent choice for rock gardens and slopes. It requires full sun and excellent drainage to prevent fungal diseases.
Delosperma ‘Iceberg’
‘Iceberg’ is a white-flowered ice plant variety that produces masses of small, pure white blooms contrasting with its fleshy green leaves. It is especially valued for brightening shady or neutral garden areas and for its prolonged flowering period. Like others in its genus, it prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure.
Delosperma ‘Lavender Lady’
This variety is known for its soft lavender-purple flowers and dense, succulent foliage that forms a thick mat. ‘Lavender Lady’ is cold hardy to USDA zone 5 and performs well in rock gardens, borders, and containers. Its compact growth habit and prolific blooming make it a favorite for gardeners who want color without much maintenance.
How to Choose
When selecting an ice plant variety, consider your climate zone first: Delosperma species generally handle cooler temperatures better than Lampranthus. Next, evaluate your soil drainage and sun exposure; ice plants require well-draining soil and full sun to thrive. Flower color and bloom time may also influence your choice—some varieties bloom longer or offer unique shades. Finally, consider the growth habit—whether you want a trailing ground cover, a compact mat, or a spiky accent plant—to ensure it fits your garden design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ice plants invasive? Some ice plants, particularly Carpobrotus species, can be invasive in certain regions, but the Delosperma and Lampranthus varieties listed here are generally well-behaved garden plants.
How often should I water ice plants? Ice plants are drought-tolerant and prefer infrequent, deep watering once established. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Can ice plants survive winter outdoors? Many Delosperma varieties are hardy to USDA zone 5, surviving cold winters, but Lampranthus types usually need protection or indoor overwintering in colder zones.
Do ice plants require fertilizing? Ice plants are low-maintenance and generally don’t need much fertilizer. A light feeding with a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring can promote healthy growth and flowering.
How do I propagate ice plants? Ice plants propagate easily from stem cuttings or seeds. Stem cuttings root quickly in well-drained soil or a sandy mix, making propagation accessible for gardeners of all levels.
Final Thoughts
Ice plants offer a diverse range of colors, textures, and growth habits suited for a variety of garden settings, especially those with dry, sunny conditions. By understanding the differences among popular varieties, you can select the perfect ice plant to brighten your landscape with minimal care. Whether you want hardy ground covers for colder zones or vibrant trailing types for warm climates, there’s an ice plant variety to meet your needs.
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