The Red Mountain Ice Plant is a vibrant succulent groundcover, known for its striking visual appeal and resilience. This plant, Delosperma cooperi ‘Red Mountain’, is a favored choice for gardeners due to its low-growing habit, ease of care, and dazzling floral displays.
Red Mountain Ice Plant Overview
The Red Mountain Ice Plant forms a dense mat of succulent leaves, reaching 2 to 4 inches high and spreading up to 18-30 inches wide. From late spring through fall, it is covered with daisy-like flowers. Its blooms display shades of burnished red, coral, magenta pink, and coppery, with some varieties featuring orange-red petals and magenta-pink centers.
Originating in South Africa, this cold-hardy plant thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, with some cultivars extending to Zone 4. It is frequently used as a groundcover, in rock gardens, for xeriscaping, and in containers. Valued for its drought tolerance and minimal maintenance, its dense growth also aids in erosion control and can serve as a non-flammable groundcover in fire-prone areas.
Planting and Care Guide
Choose a planting site that receives full sun exposure. Ample sunlight promotes abundant flowering and prevents leggy growth. The plant prefers well-drained soil, such as sandy or gritty conditions. Good drainage is essential, as consistently wet soil can be detrimental, especially in winter. If your soil is heavy clay, amending it with sand, gravel, or bagged topsoil can improve drainage.
Space individual plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for their spreading habit. After planting, thoroughly water the area to settle the soil around the roots. Once established, Red Mountain Ice Plant is drought-tolerant and requires infrequent watering. In dry climates or extended dry periods, occasional watering may be beneficial, but allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Fertilization needs are minimal; a light application of a mild, organic plant food in spring is sufficient, as excessive fertilizer can reduce blooming.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance Tips
Red Mountain Ice Plant is resistant to pests and diseases, but issues can arise. Root rot is the most common problem, occurring from overwatering or poorly drained soil. Symptoms include dead or yellowed foliage, and affected roots may appear mushy or discolored. To prevent this, ensure the soil dries out between waterings and consider improving drainage if the soil retains too much moisture.
Leggy growth and poor blooming indicate insufficient sunlight; if stretching or not producing many flowers, move it to a location with more direct sun. While already stretched stems will not revert, new growth will be more compact with adequate light. For maintenance, prune any winter-damaged or dried-up foliage in mid-spring to encourage fresh growth. Light shearing in late summer or early fall can maintain shape and remove spent flowers, though deadheading is not necessary for continuous blooming. In colder parts of its hardiness range, covering plants with a frost blanket or ensuring good drainage with gravel mulch can protect them from cold, wet winter conditions.