Do I need to water my ice plant often?

No, they prefer to dry out completely between waterings.

Can I grow these in a pot?

Yes, they do very well in containers as long as the drainage is excellent.

Plant guide

Delosperma.

Delosperma

Pronounced deh-loh-SPER-muh

Also known as Delosperma, Sheepfigs

Sheepfigs (genus) — Photo by Matt Berger (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Delosperma are charming, low growing succulents that love the sun. They produce vibrant, daisy like flowers that cover the foliage during the warmer months. These plants are perfect for rock gardens or as ground cover in dry areas.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: direct
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15cm tall, 60cm wide
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant in well draining soil to prevent root rot. Watch for mushy stems which indicate too much moisture. They thrive when neglected and kept on the drier side.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead or leggy stems in early spring to encourage fresh growth.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes rootbound in its container.
Soil: Sandy, gritty, well draining
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -15 to 35°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: high
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant has stopped growing during the active season.
Water runs straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The small, succulent leaves could pose a choking hazard if ingested by small children.
Contact allergens: There are no notable skin irritants associated with this plant.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.
Edibility: While some species are not considered toxic, they are not typically consumed and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Fleshy, succulent leaves
Daisy like flowers
Low growing mat habit
Papery flower petals

Height: 0.05 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: pink, yellow, purple, white, 2 to 5cm

Common problems

Root rot — This occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, causing the roots to decay.
Mealybugs — These small, white, cottony insects can suck sap from the leaves and stems.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Ensure the soil is very dry before the cold sets in to prevent root rot. If you live in a very cold climate, you may need to bring containers into a sheltered, unheated area.
In containers: They are excellent in containers, provided you use a gritty, fast draining potting mix and a pot with drainage holes.

Stem Cuttings

1. Snip a healthy stem cutting about 3 to 4 inches long.
2. Let the cut end dry out for a day or two until it forms a callus.
3. Place the cutting into a pot filled with a sandy, well draining soil mix.
4. Keep the soil barely moist until roots begin to form.

Group plants with similar low water needs to prevent overwatering the succulents.

Grows well with

Sedum — They share similar water and light requirements for a cohesive look.
Lavender — Both plants enjoy full sun and well draining soil conditions.
Thyme — This low growing herb makes a great textural contrast to the succulent foliage.

Keep away from

Hostas — Hostas require much more shade and moisture than ice plants can tolerate.

Similar species

Lampranthus — These are also succulent ice plants with very similar growth habits.
Malephora — This is another succulent ground cover that thrives in the same sunny conditions.

Science

Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Delosperma
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern and Eastern Africa.
Conservation: Most species are common and not of conservation concern, though some rare varieties should not be collected from the wild.

It survives in arid environments by storing water in its thick, fleshy leaves.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ground cover, rock gardens, container planting, xeriscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to water my ice plant often?: No, they prefer to dry out completely between waterings.
Can I grow these in a pot?: Yes, they do very well in containers as long as the drainage is excellent.

Where the name comes from

The name Delosperma is derived from the Greek words delos, meaning visible, and sperma, meaning seed, referring to the exposed seeds in the capsule.

Good to know

The name comes from the Greek words for visible and seed.
They are incredibly drought tolerant due to their succulent nature.
Flowers often close up at night and open again when the sun hits them.
They thrive in poor, rocky soils where other plants struggle.

Is your delosperma looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.