Bold as Ice: The Beauty of Delosperma Cooperi, Ice Plants

If you live within zones 5-10, you can grow the most tropical looking plants—plants with the counterintuitive name, Ice Plants—with little effort. In those zones, despite their tropical looks, the Delosperma cooperi plants will return year after year. 

You might suspect that Ice Plants are like the “Ice Orchids” you may have seen at your local plant shop. Ice Orchids are marketed as being able to get the right amount of hydration when a few ice cubes are left to melt into their growing medium from time to time. But Delosperma cooperi, Ice Plants, are different.

The Name

The icy moniker that is used in referring to Delosperma cooperi plants originates from the tiny hairs on the plants’ succulent foliage. The hairs reflect light, creating the look of ice crystals. Even if you find that the glistening is not very noticeable when you look at your Delosperma cooperi plants, it helps to know that this accounts for the origin of these plants’ common name. (No ice cube hydration regimen… just an icy shimmer, here and there….)

“Ice crystals” aside, Delosperma cooperi plants have the bold and bright appeal of plants that grow far from ice and snow. While their look may be “tropical”, if you use that term to describe such things as bold blooms and succulent greenery, these plants actually have their roots in South Africa. Given their hot and arid origin, it’s surprising that the Ice Plants are as hardy as they are in the cold. But they are indeed strong. And in the horticultural zones noted earlier, they do return.

Fast-Spreading or Controlled?

Some may say that Ice Plants are a little too hardy and vigorous, invading and preventing native plants from taking hold. But those who say this aren’t talking about Delosperma cooperi. Instead, the very similar Carpobrotus plants are the invasive ones. These are also known as Ice Plants, accounting for some confusion. 

Carpobrotus plants can cover too much ground in some regions such as coastal California, and thus, are not always appreciated. Delosperma cooperi plants, on the other hand, are hard not to love. They are polite… more controlled. They will grow well, but they will not invade.

The Look

Delosperma cooperi plants have colorful daisy-like blooms. The colors stand out against darker foliage—typically, muted greens. In the case of plants in the Delosperma cooperi Desert Dancers series, the foliage changes from pink to reddish purple tones, with the darker base tones helping the flower color to “pop” beautifully.

The Way to Grow

Ice Plants can be planted directly into a garden bed. They also make wonderful container plants and trail beautifully to fill hanging baskets. 

Unless you are purchasing a well filled-out basket or a pre-planted container display, Delosperma cooperi is likely to be purchased as a fairly small potted plant—typically with some good foliage growth, but without a flower to be found. But settle it in, and this small bit of foliage (succulent, fleshy “spikes” along each stem) will become full and flower-covered. Growth takes relatively little time, and the final effect is impressive.

In patio containers and hanging baskets, planting in multiples is best. Choose one variety to highlight, or mix colors; either way, stick to creating an all-Ice Plant display. Delosperma cooperi is arguably prettiest when not mixed with other plant varieties. Let this plant speak for itself.

In garden displays, Delosperma cooperi does well as a rock garden planting. It takes hold easily, doing best with the excellent drainage that pebbles provide. In this sort of display, again, multiple plants are needed for impact. In the rock garden, the plants can be clustered, and the clusters can be spaced out, adding foliage interest and eye-catching flower color here and there among the stones. Stems trail out and stand out as they cover rocky areas. The effect is beautiful.

Delosperma cooperi plants can handle some periods of drought. They draw in pollinators. And depending on your exact location within the recommended zones, they will either stay evergreen or will die back and return.

If you’re looking for plants that are bold and beautiful, stop your search at Ice Plants. Bold as ice, easy to care for and drought tolerant, pollinator friendly…. What’s not to love about Delosperma cooperi?