The ice plant, a common name for species primarily in the Delosperma and Lampranthus genera, is a striking, low-growing succulent prized for its vibrant, daisy-like flowers and drought tolerance. This perennial groundcover, native to South Africa, provides a dense mat of fleshy foliage that thrives in challenging conditions. Meeting the plant’s specific needs for light, soil, and positioning is the primary factor for success, ensuring prolific blooming and long-term health.
Sunlight and Climate Needs
Ice plants require a location that receives absolute full sun exposure to flourish and produce their spectacular blooms. A minimum of six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily is necessary for the plant to achieve its dense, mat-forming habit and abundant flowering. Insufficient light quickly leads to etiolation, a condition where the stems stretch out in search of sun, resulting in thin, leggy growth and a noticeable reduction in flower production. The vibrant colors of the flowers often remain closed or fail to open entirely on cloudy days or in shaded areas.
The climate must also be dry, as high humidity and prolonged moisture are detrimental to this succulent. Most commercially available hardy ice plants (Delosperma species) are reliably perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 10, though this varies by cultivar. While the plant can tolerate cold temperatures, it is highly intolerant of a combination of freezing temperatures and persistent wetness around its crown. In climates with heavy winter snow or rain, the plant must be sited where it will dry out rapidly to prevent winter dieback.
Soil Composition and Drainage
The single greatest threat to an ice plant’s longevity is poor drainage, making soil composition the most critical consideration for planting location. As a succulent, the ice plant stores water in its fleshy leaves and stems, meaning it is highly susceptible to root rot if its roots remain in saturated soil. The ideal planting medium is lean, meaning it is not rich in organic matter, and provides extremely fast drainage. Sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil textures are best, mimicking the arid conditions of its native habitat.
Planting in dense, heavy clay soil will almost certainly lead to failure because clay retains moisture and compacts easily, suffocating the roots. If the location is clay-heavy, the soil must be amended significantly with coarse materials like horticultural grit, sand, perlite, or small lava rock to ensure water moves away quickly. The site must be one where water never sits around the plant’s base, especially during the wetter parts of the year.
Best Landscape Placements
Choosing a planting site that naturally addresses the ice plant’s need for sun and drainage will guarantee the best results. Ice plants are ideally suited for several landscape placements:
- Slopes and hillsides, where gravity assists in pulling excess water away from the root zone immediately after rain.
- Rock gardens, as the stones and gravel naturally create the sharp-draining, lean substrate the plant requires, and reflective heat keeps the soil dry.
- Xeriscaping beds, which focus on drought-tolerant species and water conservation.
- Areas near pavement, such as driveways or sidewalks, because the hardscape absorbs and radiates heat, encouraging dry soil.
- Containers and planter boxes, where drainage can be perfectly controlled using a cactus or succulent potting mix.
Conversely, avoid low-lying areas in the landscape where water naturally pools. Also avoid locations under dense trees that create constant shade and dripping moisture.