Dew plants (Lampranthus and Drosanthemum) are vibrant succulent groundcovers cherished for their dense carpets of bright, daisy-like flowers. Native to the arid regions of South Africa, their environmental needs are specific. The common name “dew plant” or “ice plant” comes from the tiny, translucent hairs on their leaves that shimmer like ice crystals. Their fleshy foliage and spectacular blooms make them ideal for dry landscapes, rock gardens, and coastal areas.
Establishing Optimal Growing Conditions
Successfully growing dew plants requires maximum sunlight exposure. They need a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily for compact growth and profuse flowering. In inadequate light, the plants stretch out (etiolation), resulting in weak, leggy stems and diminished blooms.
The soil composition must mimic their native, well-drained habitat. Dew plants will not tolerate heavy substrates like clay, which retain moisture and lead to root rot. The ideal medium is poor, lean, and sandy, thriving in gravelly or rocky soils that drain instantly. If garden soil is heavy, amend it with coarse sand, grit, or perlite to improve drainage.
When planting, set the rooted cuttings or nursery plants shallowly, avoiding burying any part of the stem previously exposed to air. For groundcover varieties, planting them about 15 to 18 inches apart allows them to spread quickly and form a dense mat.
Daily Maintenance: Watering and Feeding
Dew plants are drought-tolerant succulents, requiring a deep but infrequent watering regimen. Use the “soak and dry” method: water thoroughly until saturated, then allow the top several inches to dry out completely. During the active growing season, this translates to deep watering only once every one to three weeks, depending on temperature and rainfall.
Overwatering is the most common cause of failure, leading to soft, yellowing foliage and root rot. Seasonal adjustments are necessary, especially in cooler or high-humidity climates. In late fall, reduce or cease watering entirely to encourage the plant to harden off and prevent freezing damage during winter.
These plants naturally thrive in poor soils and require minimal supplemental feeding. Applying high-nitrogen fertilizers is discouraged, as it promotes soft, weak growth susceptible to disease and rot. If growth appears sluggish, a diluted, low-nitrogen fertilizer can be applied sparingly once or twice in the spring.
Long-Term Health and Pruning Techniques
As dew plants mature (Lampranthus), they become woody near the base and develop “leggy” stems, causing the center of the patch to die out. To maintain a dense, compact form, periodic pruning is necessary. The best time to trim is immediately after the plant finishes its main bloom cycle in mid-summer or early fall.
Cutting back elongated stems stimulates new, bushier growth, ensuring the groundcover remains full and vibrant. Deadheading (removing spent flowers) can sometimes encourage a second, smaller flush of blooms, but this is optional for large plantings. For long-term maintenance, prune out any brown or winter-killed stems in mid-spring once new growth begins.
Managing excess moisture is the primary long-term health concern, as dew plants are susceptible to fungal rot in damp conditions. If sections exhibit signs of rot, such as soft or discolored stems, immediately trim away the affected areas with sharp, sanitized shears. Thinning overly dense patches improves air circulation and helps prevent disease, especially in humid environments.
Propagation Methods for Dew Plants
Expanding your dew plant collection is simple, using stem cuttings as the most reliable method. Select healthy, non-flowering shoot tips two to four inches long. After taking the cutting, allow the cut end to dry out and form a protective callus, which typically takes one to two days.
Callusing prevents the succulent tissue from absorbing too much moisture and rotting. Insert the prepared cuttings directly into a pot filled with a well-draining medium (e.g., sandy soil and perlite), ensuring at least one leaf node is beneath the surface. Keep the rooting medium lightly moist until new roots develop, then transplant the new plants once established.
Dew plants can also be grown from seed, though this method is slower. Scatter seeds lightly on the surface of sandy soil. The seeds require light to germinate and should not be covered, needing warm temperatures (above 60°F) to sprout within a few weeks. Starting from seed is viable for establishing large areas but requires patience compared to stem cuttings.