Does it need deadheading?

You can leave the flower heads on for winter interest or cut them back in early spring.

How often should I water it?

Water sparingly, as it prefers well drained soil and can rot if kept too wet.

Plant guide

Ice Plant.

Hylotelephium spectabile

Pronounced hy-loh-te-LEE-fee-um spek-TAH-bi-leh

Also known as Butterfly Stonecrop, Debela koka, Showy stonecrop, iceplant

This hardy perennial is a garden favorite for its fleshy, succulent leaves and late season blooms. It brings a lovely pop of color to borders when many other plants are winding down. You will find it is quite resilient once it gets settled in your garden.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial succulent
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 1.5 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to mid autumn

Care

Plant this beauty in well draining soil to keep the roots happy. Watch for wilting or mushy stems, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet. It is a tough plant that thrives with plenty of sun and minimal fuss.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
Pruning: Cut the stems back to the ground in late winter or early spring to make room for new growth.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every few years to keep the plant vigorous and healthy.
Soil: Sandy or gritty well draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 60%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant looks stunted or stops growing.

Safety

People: Mildly toxic if ingested due to the presence of alkaloids.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep away from small children as the foliage can be a choking hazard and the sap may cause mild irritation.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Fleshy, succulent, blue green leaves
Flat topped clusters of star shaped flowers
Upright, clumping growth habit
Serrated leaf margins

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: blue-green, grey-green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, rose, white, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the dead stems to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. No special protection is needed in cold climates.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 20 cm wide.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in spring.
2. Use a clean spade to divide the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant the divisions at the same depth as the original.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting in summer.
2. Let the cut end callous for a few days.
3. Insert into moist, sandy soil until rooted.

Pair with other drought tolerant perennials to create a low maintenance, water wise garden bed.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar sun and water requirements.
Russian Sage · The airy texture of sage contrasts beautifully with the fleshy leaves of stonecrop.

Similar species

Autumn Joy · It is a popular hybrid that shares the same growth habit and needs.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Hylotelephium
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: China and Korea
Conservation: This species is not of conservation concern.

It grows in rocky, well drained soils where its succulent leaves help it survive periods of drought.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, late season food
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: border plant, rock garden, pollinator garden, cut flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need deadheading?: You can leave the flower heads on for winter interest or cut them back in early spring.
How often should I water it?: Water sparingly, as it prefers well drained soil and can rot if kept too wet.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Hylotelephium comes from Greek words meaning forest and love, while spectabile means showy.

Good to know

It is commonly known as showy stonecrop.
The flowers change color as they age, often deepening to a rusty red.
It is incredibly drought tolerant once established.
The dried flower heads provide winter interest in the garden.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your ice plant growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.