Delosperma: A World of Hardy Ice Plants
I’ve always been drawn to the resilience of succulents, their ability to thrive in harsh conditions, their fleshy leaves holding onto precious moisture. Among my favorites is the genus Delosperma, commonly known as ice plants. These hardy succulents, with their vibrant, daisy-like flowers, bring a touch of the exotic to any garden.
Native to southern and eastern Africa, Delosperma comprises a diverse group of around 170 species. They are known for their ability to tolerate drought, poor soil, and even freezing temperatures, making them a popular choice for gardeners in a variety of climates.
A Closer Look at Delosperma
The name Delosperma comes from the Greek words “delos” (visible) and “sperma” (seed), referring to the exposed seeds within the fruit capsule. These capsules open when wet, releasing the seeds to be dispersed by water.
Delosperma species are typically low-growing, mat-forming plants with succulent leaves. The leaves are often covered in tiny, glistening bladder cells, giving them an icy appearance, hence the common name “ice plant.” The flowers come in a wide range of colors, including pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, and white. They bloom profusely in the spring and summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
A Diverse Genus
The genus Delosperma boasts a remarkable diversity of species, each with its own unique characteristics. Here are:
- Delosperma abbottii van Jaarsv.
- Delosperma aberdeenense (L.Bolus) L.Bolus
- Delosperma abyssinicum (Regel) Schwantes
- Delosperma acocksii L.Bolus
- Delosperma acuminatum L.Bolus
- Delosperma adamantinum Niederle
- Delosperma adelaidense Lavis
- Delosperma aereum (L.Bolus) L.Bolus
- Delosperma affine Lavis
- Delosperma algoense L.Bolus
- Delosperma aliwalense L.Bolus
- Delosperma alpinum (N.E.Br.) S.A.Hammer & A.P.Dold
- Delosperma alticola L.Bolus
- Delosperma angustifolium L.Bolus
- Delosperma angustipetalum Lavis
- Delosperma annulare L.Bolus
- Delosperma appressum L.Bolus
- Delosperma ashtonii L.Bolus
- Delosperma asperulum (Salm-Dyck) L.Bolus
- Delosperma badspoortense (van Jaarsv.) Klak
- Delosperma basuticum L.Bolus
- Delosperma bosserianum Marais
- Delosperma brevipetalum L.Bolus
- Delosperma brevisepalum L.Bolus
- Delosperma britteniae L.Bolus
- Delosperma brunnthaleri (A.Berger) Schwantes ex H.Jacobsen
- Delosperma burtoniae L.Bolus
- Delosperma caespitosum L.Bolus
- Delosperma calitzdorpense L.Bolus
- Delosperma calycinum L.Bolus
- Delosperma carolinense N.E.Br.
- Delosperma carterae L.Bolus
- Delosperma clavipes Lavis
- Delosperma cloeteae Lavis
- Delosperma concavum L.Bolus
- Delosperma congestum L.Bolus
- Delosperma cooperi (Hook.f.) L.Bolus
- Delosperma crassuloides (Haw.) L.Bolus
- Delosperma crassum L.Bolus
- Delosperma cronemeyerianum (A.Berger) H.Jacobsen ex H.E.K.Hartmann
- Delosperma davyi N.E.Br.
- Delosperma deilanthoides S.A.Hammer
- Delosperma deleeuwiae Lavis
- Delosperma dolomitica van Jaarsv. & A.E.van Wyk
- Delosperma dunense L.Bolus
- Delosperma dyeri L.Bolus
- Delosperma echinatum (Lam.) Schwantes
- Delosperma ecklonis (Salm-Dyck) Schwantes
- Delosperma erectum L.Bolus
- Delosperma esterhuyseniae L.Bolus
- Delosperma ficksbergense Lavis
- Delosperma floribundum L.Bolus
- Delosperma fredericii Lavis
- Delosperma frutescens L.Bolus
- Delosperma galpinii L.Bolus
- Delosperma gautengense H.E.K.Hartmann
- Delosperma gerstneri L.Bolus
- Delosperma giffenii Lavis
- Delosperma gracile L.Bolus
- Delosperma gracillimum L.Bolus
- Delosperma gramineum L.Bolus
- Delosperma grantiae L.Bolus
- Delosperma gratiae L.Bolus
- Delosperma guthriei Lavis
- Delosperma harazianum (Deflers) Poppend. & Ihlenf.
- Delosperma heidihartmanniae L.E.Newton & Liede
- Delosperma herbeum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.
- Delosperma hirtum (N.E.Br.) Schwantes
- Delosperma hollandii L.Bolus
- Delosperma holzbecherorum Niederle
- Delosperma imbricatum L.Bolus
- Delosperma inaequale L.Bolus
- Delosperma incomptum (Haw.) L.Bolus
- Delosperma inconspicuum L.Bolus
- Delosperma intonsum L.Bolus
- Delosperma invalidum (N.E.Br.) H.E.K.Hartmann
- Delosperma jansei N.E.Br.
- Delosperma karrooicum L.Bolus
- Delosperma katbergense L.Bolus
- Delosperma klinghardtianum (Dinter) Dinter & Schwantes
- Delosperma knox-daviesii Lavis
- Delosperma kofleri Lavis
- Delosperma lavisiae L.Bolus
- Delosperma laxipetalum L.Bolus
- Delosperma lebomboense (L.Bolus) Lavis
- Delosperma leendertziae N.E.Br.
- Delosperma lehmannii (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Schwantes ex H.Jacobsen
- Delosperma leightoniae Lavis
- Delosperma liebenbergii L.Bolus
- Delosperma lineare L.Bolus
- Delosperma litorale (Kensit) L.Bolus
- Delosperma lootsbergense Lavis
- Delosperma luckhoffii L.Bolus
- Delosperma luteum L.Bolus
- Delosperma lydenburgense L.Bolus
- Delosperma macellum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.
- Delosperma macrostigma L.Bolus
- Delosperma mahonii (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.
- Delosperma mariae L.Bolus
- Delosperma maxwellii L.Bolus
- Delosperma melepoense L.E.Newton & Liede
- Delosperma minimum Lavis
- Delosperma muirii L.Bolus
- Delosperma multiflorum L.Bolus
- Delosperma nakurense (Engl.) Herre
- Delosperma napiforme (N.E.Br.) Schwantes
- Delosperma neethlingiae (L.Bolus) Schwantes
- Delosperma nelii L.Bolus
- Delosperma nubigenum (Schltr.) L.Bolus
- Delosperma obtusum L.Bolus
- Delosperma oehleri (Engl.) Herre
- Delosperma ornatulum N.E.Br. ex Stapf
- Delosperma pachyrhizum L.Bolus
- Delosperma pageanum (L.Bolus) Schwantes
- Delosperma pallidum L.Bolus
- Delosperma parentum Niederle
- Delosperma parviflorum L.Bolus
- Delosperma patersoniae (L.Bolus) L.Bolus
- Delosperma peersii Lavis
- Delosperma peglerae L.Bolus
- Delosperma pilosulum L.Bolus
- Delosperma platysepalum L.Bolus
- Delosperma pondoense L.Bolus
- Delosperma pontii L.Bolus
- Delosperma pottsii (L.Bolus) L.Bolus
- Delosperma prasinum L.Bolus
- Delosperma purpureum H.E.K.Hartmann
- Delosperma repens L.Bolus
- Delosperma reynoldsii Lavis
- Delosperma rileyi L.Bolus
- Delosperma robustum L.Bolus
- Delosperma rogersii (Schönland & A.Berger) L.Bolus
- Delosperma roseopurpureum Lavis
- Delosperma saturatum L.Bolus
- Delosperma sawdahense H.E.K.Hartmann
- Delosperma saxicola Lavis
- Delosperma scabripes L.Bolus
- Delosperma schimperi (Engl.) H.E.K.Hartmann & Niesler
- Delosperma seanii-hoganii Niederle
- Delosperma smythae L.Bolus
- Delosperma sphalmanthoides S.A.Hammer
- Delosperma stenandrum L.Bolus
- Delosperma steytlerae L.Bolus
- Delosperma subclavatum L.Bolus
- Delosperma subincanum (Haw.) Schwantes
- Delosperma subpetiolatum L.Bolus
- Delosperma sulcatum L.Bolus
- Delosperma sutherlandii (Hook.f.) N.E.Br.
- Delosperma suttoniae Lavis
- Delosperma taylorii (N.E.Br.) Schwantes
- Delosperma testaceum (Haw.) Schwantes
- Delosperma tradescantioides (A.Berger) L.Bolus
- Delosperma truteri Lavis
- Delosperma uitenhagense L.Bolus
- Delosperma uncinatum L.Bolus
- Delosperma uniflorum L.Bolus
- Delosperma vandermerwei L.Bolus
- Delosperma velutinum L.Bolus
- Delosperma verecundum L.Bolus
- Delosperma vernicolor L.Bolus
- Delosperma versicolor L.Bolus
- Delosperma vinaceum (L.Bolus) L.Bolus
- Delosperma virens L.Bolus
- Delosperma waterbergense L.Bolus
- Delosperma wethamae L.Bolus
- Delosperma wilmaniae Lavis
- Delosperma wiumii Lavis
- Delosperma zeederbergii L.Bolus
- Delosperma zoeae L.Bolus
- Delosperma zoutpansbergense L.Bolus
Cultivating Delosperma
One of the things I appreciate most about Delosperma is its ease of cultivation. These plants are relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of conditions. Here are a few tips for growing Delosperma:
- Sunlight: Delosperma thrives in full sun, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is crucial for Delosperma. They are susceptible to root rot in soggy conditions.
- Water: While drought-tolerant, Delosperma still needs regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Fertilizer: Delosperma are light feeders and generally don’t require much fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring is usually sufficient.
With proper care, Delosperma will reward you with an abundance of colorful blooms year after year.
The Beauty of Resilience
For me, Delosperma represents the beauty of resilience. These tough little plants can thrive in conditions that would challenge many other species. They remind me that even in the face of adversity, life finds a way to flourish.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, I highly recommend giving Delosperma a try. These hardy succulents are easy to grow, low-maintenance, and add a touch of vibrant color to any garden.
