The “Jewel of the Desert” plant, a vibrant type of ice plant, offers an appealing choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and resilience. Its striking, daisy-like flowers burst forth in a spectrum of brilliant colors, providing a long season of visual interest. Complementing these blooms is its succulent foliage, forming a dense, mat-like groundcover. This plant is known for its low-maintenance requirements and drought tolerance. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in conditions that challenge other plants, making it a popular choice for many garden designs.
Understanding the Jewel of the Desert Plant
The “Jewel of the Desert” is botanically identified as Delosperma cooperi, also known as hardy ice plant. This succulent perennial originates from the arid regions of South Africa, adapting to dry, sunny conditions. Its classification as an ice plant comes from the shimmering, ice-like appearance of its foliage, covered in tiny, reflective hairs.
Delosperma cooperi has a spreading, mat-forming habit, growing 3 to 6 inches tall and spreading up to 24 inches or more. The plant features fleshy, cylindrical blue-green or light green leaves that store water. These succulent leaves provide year-round interest in warmer climates.
The flowers are a significant feature, appearing as vibrant, daisy-like blooms, 1 to 2 inches in diameter. They come in a wide array of neon-bright colors, including magenta, red, orange, pink, yellow, and purple, often with contrasting centers. Blooming profusely from late spring through the first frost, they can completely cover the foliage.
This plant is a popular choice for xeriscaping, rock gardens, and sunny borders. It tolerates lean, poor soils and resists deer, making it suitable for various landscape uses, including erosion control on banks and slopes.
Planting and Care for Jewel of the Desert
The Jewel of the Desert plant requires full sun exposure, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for strong growth and abundant flowering.
Well-draining soil is essential for the Jewel of the Desert plant. It tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly soils, reflecting its arid origins. Heavy, waterlogged conditions are detrimental and can lead to root issues.
To enhance drainage in heavier soils, amend with coarse sand, grit, perlite, or pumice. This improves aeration and ensures water moves away from the roots quickly, which is crucial for the plant’s health. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, between 6.0 and 7.5, is preferable.
Once established, Jewel of the Desert is drought-tolerant, but new plants need regular watering to establish root systems. After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common pitfall and should be avoided.
During prolonged dry spells or intense heat, supplemental watering may be necessary to maintain plant vigor. Always check soil moisture before watering to prevent oversaturation. Container-grown plants dry out faster and may require more frequent watering.
Fertilizing is not a high priority for Jewel of the Desert, as it performs well in lean soils. If the soil is particularly poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring can encourage blooming and healthy foliage. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
For groundcover, space plants 8 to 18 inches apart to allow them to spread and form a continuous mat. This spacing helps suppress weeds as the plants mature.
Common Problems and Solutions
Root rot is a common problem for Jewel of the Desert plants, primarily caused by overwatering or inadequate soil drainage. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing, or dying leaves and stems, often with mushy roots. Improve soil drainage by amending with sand or grit, and adjust watering practices to allow the soil to dry thoroughly between applications.
A lack of abundant blooms can be disappointing for gardeners. This issue often stems from insufficient sunlight. Overly rich soil or excessive nitrogen fertilizer can also lead to more foliage and fewer flowers. Ensure full sun exposure and use a low-nitrogen, balanced fertilizer to promote flowering.
The Jewel of the Desert resists most pests and diseases. However, occasional infestations of aphids or mealybugs can occur. For minor outbreaks, a strong spray of water can dislodge pests, or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol can treat individual insects. Organic insecticidal soaps or neem oil solutions are options for more widespread issues.
Winterizing Your Jewel of the Desert
The Jewel of the Desert plant thrives in USDA Zones 5 through 10. In colder regions or harsh winter conditions, specific preparations can help ensure its survival. Its ability to withstand cold is influenced by local climate and soil conditions.
Excellent drainage is important during winter months. Wet, cold soil is significantly more damaging to the plant’s roots than cold temperatures alone, often leading to root rot. Ensuring that the planting site sheds water efficiently before winter sets in is crucial for winter survival.
In colder zones, apply a light layer of dry, airy mulch around the plant for insulation and to prevent frost heave. Pine needles, straw, or gravel are suitable choices, as they allow air circulation and do not retain excessive moisture. Do not smother the plant; allow air movement around the foliage.
As temperatures drop in the fall, reduce or stop watering to help the plant enter a semi-dormant state and harden off for winter. This prevents succulent foliage from holding too much water, which can lead to freezing and cellular damage during cold snaps. Ensure the soil is dry before the first hard frost.