Oscularia deltoides - Deltoid-leaved Dew Plant

Scientific Name

Oscularia deltoides (L.) Schwant.

Common Names

Deltoid-leaved Dew Plant, Pink Iceplant, Tooth-leaf Rock Vygie, Dassievygie, Sandsteenvygie

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum deltoides (basionym), Lampranthus deltoides, Mesembryanthemum deltatum, Mesembryanthemum muricatum, Oscularia deltata, Oscularia deltoides var. deltoides, Oscularia muricata

Scientific Classification

Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Oscularia

Description

Oscularia deltoides is a low growing, gray succulent shrublet. This plant smothers the ground up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall, up to 3 feet (90 cm) wide with wiry dark pink stems and blue-green 3-angled fleshy leaves that have small, often reddish teeth. In spring into summer appear the small lightly-fragrant yellow-centered lavender-pink flowers that are closed up in the morning but open, often to cover the plant, in the afternoon.

Photo via pinterest.com

How to Grow and Care

Lampranthus are generally hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, but this varies depending on the species.

Lampranthus thrive in well-drained, poor soils and are suitable for soils with a sandy or rocky texture, although they’ll grow in almost any soil type. They tolerate exposure to salt and grow in coastal conditions. Plant rooted cuttings in spring after the possibility of frost has passed. Space the cuttings 6 to 24 inches (15 to 60 cm) apart for trailing species, using closer spacings for quicker coverage. Dig a hole just a little larger than the roots at the cutting’s base. Put the roots in the hole, cover them with soil and tamp the soil firmly in place. For erect or mounding species, space them according to the mature dimensions for the particular species.

Water the plants immediately after planting, but then let the top inch of soil dry before watering again. Water the plants in this manner through the first spring and summer they are in place. They are drought-tolerant once established, when they will need watering only during extended dry periods… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Lampranthus.