Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi) - How to Grow & Care Guide

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Ice Plant
Latin Name: Delosperma cooperi
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 5–9; survives colder zones with excellent drainage and winter protection. In colder zones expect dieback and slower recovery. In warmer zones plant remains evergreen and may flower longer.
Typical Height: About 2–6 in (5–15 cm) tall depending on cultivar
Typical Spread: Often 12–24 in (30–60 cm) wide from a single plant; forms wider mats over time
Bloom Period: Late spring through summer with peak flowering in summer; may rebloom intermittently in warm seasons
Soil Preferences: Prefers sharply drained, sandy or rocky soils. Tolerates poor infertile soils. Heavy, wet clay causes crown rot and winter loss.
Light Preferences: Full sun for best flowering and compact habit. Tolerates light afternoon shade but may become leggy and flower less.
Toxicity: No widely reported severe toxicity for Delosperma cooperi. Verify with local poison control or ASPCA for pet safety before assuming non toxic.
Propagation: Division, stem cuttings, and seed. Stem cuttings root readily in free draining mix. Division is fastest for established mats.

Key Facts

Mat forming succulent groundcover
Showy magenta to pink daisy like flowers in warm months
Excellent drought tolerance once established
Prefers sharply drained, sandy or rocky soils
Performs best in full sun for abundant blooms
Can be evergreen in mild climates and semi deciduous in cold winters
Propagates easily by division or stem cuttings
Susceptible to crown rot in poorly drained soils

Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi) is a low succulent groundcover with bright magenta daisy like flowers and strong drought tolerance. It forms dense mats that brighten rock gardens, edges and sunny slopes where sharply drained soil prevents winter rot.

Identification

Low, mat forming succulent usually 2 to 6 inches tall with fleshy leaves and showy magenta to pink daisy like flowers in warm months. Plants often spread to form a groundcover 12 to 24 inches wide from a single crown and can create broader mats over time.

Best uses and where to grow

Use as a rock garden groundcover, slope stabilizer, or edging plant in sunny, well drained sites. It performs best in full sun for abundant bloom and tolerates poor, sandy or gravelly soils that would stress less drought tolerant perennials.

Planting and spacing

Plant in spring after the last frost or in warm seasons when soil is workable. Space plants roughly 12 to 24 inches apart to allow each crown to fill and form a mat. Avoid heavy, wet soils that trap moisture around the crown.

Soil light and watering

Prefers sharply drained, sandy or rocky soils and full sun for compact habit and heavy flowering. Once established the plant shows excellent drought tolerance. Overwatering or poor drainage leads to crown rot and winter loss, while shade produces leggier growth and fewer flowers.

After flowering and maintenance

After main bloom trim back ragged stems to tidy the mat and divide older patches to renew vigor. Minimal fertilizer is needed in poor soils. In colder sites expect some dieback and slower spring recovery unless planted in a fast draining bed with winter protection.

Spread control and naturalizing

Delosperma cooperi spreads by layering and mat expansion rather than aggressive runners. Control spread by pulling or dividing sections and using edging on slopes or beds. On suitable sunny, well drained sites it will naturalize into a stable low carpet without invasive behavior.

Propagation

Propagate easily by division or stem cuttings and from seed. Division is the quickest way to enlarge or refresh an established mat. Stem cuttings root readily in spring and summer when placed in a coarse, well drained mix.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Ice Plant grow?: Growth is moderate. Plants form mats and commonly reach about 12 to 24 inches wide from a single crown over time rather than instantly.
Is Ice Plant drought tolerant?: Yes. Once established it shows excellent drought tolerance but needs good drainage to avoid crown rot.
What soil does Ice Plant prefer?: Sharp drainage in sandy or rocky soils. It tolerates poor infertile soils and dislikes heavy clay or wet feet.
Can Ice Plant survive winter?: Hardy in many areas. Generally listed for USDA zones 5 to 9. In colder or wet winters expect dieback unless soil drains exceptionally well and plants have winter protection.
How do I propagate Ice Plant?: By division, stem cuttings and seed. Division is fastest for established mats and cuttings root readily in a coarse well drained mix.