With lush carpets of flowers, the ice plant transforms barren sandy soils in the rock garden, on the roof garden or along the dry stone wall into a summer paradise. The small perennial doesn't want to be pampered for this floral masterpiece. The following answers to frequently asked questions show how spartan cultivation is.
What is the ice plant and how do you care for it?
The ice plant (Delosperma) is a frugal, succulent perennial that prefers sunny locations, requires sandy, poor soil and can bloom from April to September. It requires little care, such as occasional watering and infrequent fertilization, and can be propagated by cuttings, division or sowing.
Planting midday flowers correctly
Spring is the optimal planting time for the graceful ice plant so that the perennial can establish itself well by winter. Choose the sunniest location in the garden with sandy, lean and well-drained soil. Thanks to this prudence, you can set the course for a flower-rich perennial life. In the thoroughly weeded and raked soil, create small pits 20-25 cm apart with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball. Subject the excavation to a close inspection for loose, permeable properties. If in doubt, add sand, fine grit or gravel. Then pot up the young plants and plant them in the middle, maintaining the previous planting depth. Water regularly on planting day and over the next few days to support rooting.
Care tips
If an ice plant is given a sunny location with sandy, permeable soil, the care program is limited to the following measures:
- A starter fertilization with compost and horn shavings in April/May
- Administer liquid fertilizer diluted in the pot in April and June
- Water a little when dry
- Cut only when necessary to control spread
Frost-sensitive species and varieties are preferably kept in pots so that they can be relocated to a bright, frost-free winter quarters in good time. Cold-resistant conspecifics should be covered with leaves, straw or brushwood before the first frost.read more
Which location is suitable?
The sunnier the location, the more opulent the ice plant's flowers will be. The perennial owes its name not least to its floral talent of not showing any signs of fatigue even in the blazing midday sun. On the contrary, maximum light output promotes vitality and abundance of flowers. This goes hand in hand with their desire for sandy, dry, lean and well-drained soil.
What soil does the plant need?
Lunchflowers have a reputation as robust survivors. Thanks to their succulent leaves, they store every single raindrop during periods of drought. The soil can therefore be sandy, dry and lean, because first-class water drainage is what is most important to the perennials. If in doubt, add a generous portion of sand, grit and fine gravel to normal garden soil and potting soil.
When is flowering time?
The central flowering period of ice plants extends from July to September, as the perennial gets the maximum amount of sunlight in the summer. If you can't wait for the star blossoms to appear in the rock garden, choose the crowded ice plant (Delosperma congestum). In mild years, this species ventures out of cover as early as April. If you run out of steam in July, its counterparts will be there, such as the Lesotho ice plant (Delosperma lineare) or the Transvaal ice plant (Delosperma sutherlandii).read more
Cut the midday flower correctly
The ice plant expresses its frugal undemanding nature when it comes to cutting. In principle, no pruning is necessary. Only if you want to limit the spread of the exotic ground cover, cut the plant into shape as necessary. This measure is possible at any time.
Watering the midday flower
With the watering can in your hand, you will rarely set out for an ice plant. Thanks to the succulent leaves, the perennial usually has a supply of moisture. Only water the plant in the early morning hours or late evening if it is persistently dry. Since the substrate dries out more quickly in the pot than in the bed, check the surface with your finger every few days to water if it is dry.
Fertilize midday flowers properly
Proper nutrient supply is limited to starting fertilization in April. With a portion of compost and horn shavings you can bring the perennial to life. Slow-acting organic fertilization meets the needs of an ice plant much better than a highly concentrated complete fertilizer. We therefore recommend adding liquid fertilizer in highly diluted concentrations to pots and balcony boxes in April and June.
Wintering
The degree of winter hardiness of an ice plant depends on the type and variety chosen. Crowd favorites such as Golden Nugget and Peach Star are completely frost-resistant in these regions. Species such as Delosperma cooperi only survive the cold season he althy in wine-growing regions with mild winters. Therefore, you should preferably cultivate frost-sensitive ice plants in pots so that you can move them to a bright, frost-free winter quarters in the fall. The resilient specimens should be provided with the following protection:
- Before the first frost, cover the perennial with a 20-30 cm high layer of leaves and brushwood
- Alternatively, cover the ice plant with garden fleece (not foil)
Please note that all winter protection must be removed as soon as the mercury column permanently exceeds the zero degree mark. Otherwise, condensation and, as a result, rot could form under the layer of leaves or the fleece.
Propagate midday flowers
With regard to propagation, the uncomplicated cultivation of an ice plant continues seamlessly. To grow more specimens of this undemanding perennial, you can choose from the following methods:
- Cut cuttings 10 cm long to root in a small pot with lean substrate
- Dividing the root ball in spring
- Sowing the seeds behind glass from February
While vegetative propagation using cuttings or division takes place without extensive effort, sowing is slightly more demanding. If possible, the very fine seeds should not be sifted or only sifted very thinly. Germination takes 2 to 3 weeks in a partially shaded window seat at a constant 20 degrees Celsius. After another 4-6 weeks you can prick out your young ones if they have at least 2 pairs of leaves. The young perennials are ideally planted out from mid-May.read more
Is ice plant poisonous?
The toxic content of ice plants is still controversial. Since there is currently a lack of sound scientific research and knowledge, we recommend exercising caution. To be on the safe side, place the perennial out of the reach of small children and pets.
Beautiful varieties
When hobby gardeners talk about an ice plant, it is usually one of the following magnificent varieties of the genus Delosperma. Native to the sun-drenched regions of South Africa, the succulent, flat-growing plant combines exotic flowers with undemandingness and robust winter hardiness.
- Golden Nugget: Golden-yellow gem for the rock garden and sunny table garden; Growth height 5-10 cm
- White Nugget: Pure white flower magic all summer long on juicy leaves; Growth height 5-10 cm
- Peach Star: The peach-colored star flowers contrast magically with the succulent foliage; Growth height 10-15 cm
- Mesa Verde: A tall growing variety that boasts salmon pink flowers; Growth height 10-20 cm
- Crowded ice plant: The bright yellow variety scores with early flowering from April; Growth height 8-10 cm
