The ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant is a vibrant succulent groundcover that adds fiery color to gardens. Its striking appearance and low-growing habit make it a popular choice for landscapes. This resilient plant offers a dynamic display.
Characteristics of ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant
The ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant (Delosperma ‘Fire Spinner’) is known for its daisy-like blossoms. These flowers display a tricolor pattern, typically with brilliant orange petals transitioning to vivid magenta or pink, often with a white or purple center. They bloom profusely from late spring through early summer, often reblooming into the fall.
The plant also features fleshy, apple-green succulent foliage that forms a dense, low-growing mat. It reaches 1 to 3 inches in height, spreading 12 to 24 inches. The foliage is evergreen to semi-evergreen, maintaining its color through cooler months and sometimes developing a bronze or burgundy tint in autumn.
Planting and Care Guide
Light Requirements
For abundant, colorful blooms, ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant requires full sunlight. This means at least six hours of direct sun exposure daily. Insufficient light leads to sparse flowering and less vigorous growth, diminishing the plant’s impact. Ample sun ensures maximum energy production for a stunning floral display.
Soil and Drainage
Optimal growth for ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant requires well-draining soil. This succulent thrives in rocky and sandy environments. Heavy, waterlogged soils are detrimental and quickly lead to root rot. Incorporating sand or gravel into planting beds can improve drainage for heavier soil types.
Watering Needs
Once established, ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant is drought tolerant. It prefers infrequent, deep watering, allowing the soil to dry completely between applications. Overwatering is a concern, as consistently wet conditions quickly lead to root decay and plant decline. During its initial growing season, regular watering helps the plant develop a robust root system.
Fertilization
‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant requires minimal to no fertilization. Most garden soils provide sufficient nutrients for healthy growth and flowering. Too much fertilizer, especially high-nitrogen types, encourages foliage growth at the expense of flowers. If soil is extremely poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring might be considered, but it is often unnecessary.
Winter Hardiness
This ice plant is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 10. Proper drainage is paramount, especially during winter, as prolonged exposure to wet, cold soil is damaging. In colder or wetter climates, ensuring excellent drainage, or providing a protective layer of mulch or a frost blanket, helps prevent root rot from winter moisture. The plant also benefits from cold temperatures to set flower buds for the following season.
Ideal Uses and Benefits
The ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant is versatile for various garden applications. Its dense, spreading habit makes it an ideal groundcover, suppressing weeds and controlling erosion on slopes. It excels in rock gardens, xeriscapes, and along borders.
This plant also performs well in containers, with trailing stems spilling gracefully over the edges. ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant offers practical benefits like drought tolerance and low maintenance once established. It is also deer resistant and attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Gardeners may encounter issues with ‘Fire Spinner’ Ice Plant. A common problem is a lack of blooms, often due to insufficient sunlight. Ensure the plant receives at least six hours of direct sun daily for prolific flowering. Over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen-rich products, can also reduce flower production by promoting leafy growth.
Another issue is root rot, indicated by browning or dry foliage, which stems from poor drainage or excessive watering. To address this, confirm the planting site has excellent drainage and adjust watering to allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Removing affected plant material and improving soil conditions can help the plant recover.