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Genus Delosperma (Ice plant)

Delosperma Delosperma cooperi Photo/Illustration: Chris Curless
del-oh-SPER-mah Common Name: Ice plant
This genus consists of shrubby or mat-forming herbaceous succulents from South and East Africa. They are indispensable for plantings en masse, and bear colorful, daisy-like blossoms during the growing season. They are considerably heat, drought, and frost tolerant, and prefer to be dry in winter. The foliage on some species may persist through the winter and exhibit ruby-red tints.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Summer-long bloom and a tough constitution make the mat-forming ice plant a perfect groundcover.
 Care: Grow in sharply drained soil in full sun; prefers a sheltered site.
 Propagation: Take stem cuttings in spring or summer; sow seed at 70°F.
 Problems: Mealybugs, aphids.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Delosperma

Delosperma 'John Proffit'
(Ice plant) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Covering itself with glowing fuchsia daisy-like flowers with many narrow petals, 'John Proffit' makes a beautiful groundcover or container plant. The succulent foliage looks like it has small pieces of ice on it (hence the name "ice plant') and is evergreen in warmer climates. Growing to only a few inches tall, it can spread almost 2 feet wide. It blooms from late spring to early fall.  
Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’ Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’
(Mesa Verde® Ice Plant) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Mesa Verde® is a moderately-spreading ground cover with small, bright salmon pink flowers that bloom from midspring till late fall. It is tolerant of a wide variety of soil conditions, from poor or sandy to well-drained.
Delosperma cooperi Delosperma cooperi
(Ice plant) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Summer-long bloom and a tough constitution make the mat-forming ice plant a perfect groundcover. Two-inch magenta blossoms with white anthers are produced in midsummer and late summer.