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- Delosperma sphalmanthoides (Tufted Ice Plant)
Delosperma sphalmanthoides (Tufted Ice Plant)
The plant likes full sun. It is suitable for rock gardens or portable containers.
Water the plant in a pot after the substrate has dried out. When placed in a rock garden, water as needed.
The plant is frost-resistant and can withstand temperatures down to -28.9 °C.
It is one of the smallest species of the Delosperma genus – it grows to only about 2.5 cm in height and forms very low, compact cushions.
Delosperma sphalmanthoides, commonly known as the Tufted Ice Plant, is a miniature succulent species native to South Africa. In nature, it grows in shallow soils above sandstone rocks near Sutherland in the Northern Cape Province, where it is adapted to dry and sunny conditions.
The plant forms grey-green to blue-green, finger-shaped leaves. These are thick, fleshy, and extremely small, usually up to about 0.5 cm long and around 0.2 cm in diameter. It is a dwarf succulent that forms compact mats close to the ground, reaching only about 2.5 cm in height, making it one of the smallest species in the genus.
Flowers appear in large numbers during spring. They are small but vivid pink in colour and can reach up to around 1.5 cm in diameter. For several weeks, they can strongly brighten the otherwise low and compact growth.
Delosperma sphalmanthoides is suitable for rock gardens and containers, but a protected position is recommended during winter, as plants in pots may freeze or rot more easily in excessive moisture. Regular repotting and light feeding with fertiliser for outdoor plants can support healthy growth and abundant flowering. Thanks to its spring bloom, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a truly small yet richly flowering ice plant.