Scientific Name
Corpuscularia taylorii (N.E.Br.) Schwantes
Common Name(s)
Ice Plant
Synonym(s)
Delosperma minimum, Delosperma taylori, Delosperma taylori var. albanense, Mesembryanthemum taylori
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Corpuscularia
Origin
This species is native to South Africa.
Description
Corpuscularia taylorii is a succulent plant that forms a mat of branched ascending stems with lovely grey-green leaves. It is similar to Corpuscularia lehmannii but has longer internodes, whereas C. lehmannii is more compact. The leaves will get shades of pink, purple, and red in the full sun. Flowers are white to pale yellow, daisy-like, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter, and appear in spring and summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 8b to 10b: from 15 °F (−9.4 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Delosperma plants grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9 and will bloom for most of the summer and fall. Their foliage is mostly evergreen, and because of this, they make a great year-round ground cover. However, while the plant is evergreen, it will often have some dieback of foliage in the winter.
Delospermas prefer full sun but can tolerate some light shade in the garden. Because Delospermas are succulents, they do not tolerate wet soil but do well in poor soils. In fact, wet soil, especially during the winter months, is likely to kill the plants. However, these plants can become invasive in areas where the soil stays consistently dry, so it is best to consider this when planting them.
The Ice Plant can be propagated by division, cuttings, or seeds. If propagating by division, it is best to divide the plants in the spring. Cuttings can be taken anytime in the spring, summer, or fall. When grown by seeds, scatter the seeds on the surface of the soil and do not cover them, as they need light to germinate.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Delosperma.
Links
- Back to genus Corpuscularia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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