Scientific Name
Delosperma basuticum L.Bolus
Common Names
White-eyed Ice Plant
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Delosperma
Description
Delosperma basuticum is a beautiful succulent that forms a low cushion of fleshy green leaves. It grows up to 1.5 inches (3.7 cm) tall. Flowers are yellow, star-shaped with a white center, and appear right on top of the leaves in summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 5a to 10b: from −20 °F (−28.9 °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, though they do well in poor soils. In fact, wet soil, especially during the winter months, is likely to kill the plants. However, in areas where the soil stays consistently dry, this plant can become invasive, so it is best to consider this when planting it.
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.
Origin
Native to South Africa.
Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Delosperma
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
