With lush carpets of flowers, the ice plant transforms barren sandy soil in the rock garden, on the roof garden or along the dry stone wall into a summer paradise. The small perennial does not want to be pampered for this floral masterpiece. The following answers to frequently asked questions convey how spartan cultivation is.

Ice plants thrive best in poor soil

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant the ice plant correctly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. What soil does the plant need?
  5. When is flowering time?
  6. Properly cut the ice plant
  7. water the ice plant
  8. Fertilize ice plant properly
  9. hibernate
  10. Multiply ice plant
  11. Is Ice Plant Poisonous?
  12. Beautiful varieties

    13. Plant the ice plant correctly

    For the graceful ice plant, spring is the best time to plant, so that the perennial can become well established by winter. Choose the sunniest spot in the garden with sandy, lean, well-drained soil. Thanks to this prudence, you set the course for a flowering perennial life. In the thoroughly weeded and raked soil, dig small pits 20-25 cm apart with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball. Subject the excavation to a thorough check for loose, permeable properties. If in doubt, add sand, fine grit (€46.95) or gravel. Then pot the young plants and plant them in the middle, maintaining the previous planting depth. Water regularly on the day of planting and for the next few days to help 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 start fertilization with compost and horn shavings (32.93€) in April/May
    • Apply liquid fertilizer diluted in the pot in April and June
    • Water a little when dry
    • Cut only when necessary to control spread

    Species and varieties that are sensitive to frost are preferably kept in pots so that they can resettle in good time in a bright, frost-free winter quarters. Cover cold-resistant conspecifics with leaves, straw or brushwood before the first frost.
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    Which location is suitable?

    The sunnier the location, the more opulently the ice plant unfolds its blossoms. The perennial owes its name not least to its floral talent, 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?

    Ice plants have a reputation as hardy survivors. Thanks to their succulent leaves, they store every single drop of rain for periods of drought. The soil can therefore be sandy, dry and lean, because the perennials primarily depend on first-class water drainage. 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 receives the maximum yield of sun rays in the summertime. If you can't wait for the star blossoms to appear in the rock garden, choose the ice plant (Delosperma congestum). In mild years, this species ventures out of cover as early as April. If it then runs out of breath in July, its conspecifics are on the spot, such as the Lesotho ice plant (Delosperma lineare) or the Transvaal ice plant (Delosperma sutherlandii).
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    Properly cut the ice plant

    The ice plant expresses its frugal undemanding when it comes to cutting. In principle, no pruning is necessary. Only if you want to curb the spread of the exotic ground cover, trim the plant as needed. This measure can be taken at any time.

    water the ice plant

    Rarely will you set out for an ice plant with a watering can in hand. Thanks to the succulent leaves, the perennial usually has a supply of moisture. Only water the plant early in the morning or late in the evening if the drought persists. Since the substrate in the pot dries out more quickly than in the bed, check the surface with your finger every few days to water when it is dry.

    Fertilize ice plant properly

    The professional nutrient supply is limited to a start fertilization in April. With a portion of compost and horn shavings you can get the perennial plant going. A slow-acting organic fertilizer meets the needs of an ice plant much better than a highly concentrated complete fertilizer. In the bucket and balcony box, we therefore recommend the application of liquid fertilizer in a highly diluted concentration in April and June.

    hibernate

    The degree of winter hardiness of an ice plant depends on the species and variety chosen. Crowd favorites such as Golden Nugget or Peach Star are completely frost-resistant in the local regions. Species such as Delosperma cooperi only survive the cold season in good health in wine-growing regions with mild winters. You should therefore preferably cultivate frost-sensitive ice plants in pots in order to move them to a bright, frost-free winter quarters in autumn. The resilient specimens should be provided with the following protection:

    • Before the first frost, cover the perennial with a 20-30 cm layer of leaves and brushwood
    • Alternatively, cover the ice plant with garden fleece (no foil)

    Please note that all winter protection must be removed as soon as the mercury column permanently exceeds the zero degree mark. Otherwise, condensation could form under the layer of leaves or fleece and rot as a result.

    Multiply ice plant

    In terms of propagation, the uncomplicated cultivation of an ice plant continues seamlessly. To breed more specimens of this undemanding perennial, you can choose from the following methods:

    • Cut cuttings with a length of 10 cm in order to root them in a small pot with lean substrate
    • Division of the root ball in spring
    • Sow the seeds behind glass from February

    While vegetative propagation by means of cuttings or division takes place without extensive effort, sowing is slightly more demanding. If possible, the very fine seeds should not be sieved over, or only very thinly. Germination takes 2 to 3 weeks at a partially shaded window seat at a constant 20 degrees Celsius. After a further 4-6 weeks you can transplant your youngsters if they have at least 2 pairs of leaves. The young perennials are ideally planted out from mid-May.
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    Is Ice Plant Poisonous?

    The poison content of ice flowers is still a matter of controversy. Since there has been a lack of well-founded scientific research and knowledge so far, we recommend that you exercise caution. Plant the perennial out of the reach of small children and pets to be on the safe side.

    Beautiful varieties

    When amateur gardeners talk about an ice plant, it is usually one of the following magnificent varieties of the Delosperma genus. Native to the sun-drenched regions of South Africa, the succulent, flat-growing plant combines an abundance of exotic flowers with undemanding and robust winter hardiness.

    • Golden Nugget: Gold-yellow gem for the rock garden and sunny table garden; Growth height 5-10 cm
    • White Nugget: Pure white blooms all summer long over juicy leaflets; Growth height 5-10 cm
    • Peach Star: The peach-colored star flowers contrast beautifully with the succulent foliage; Growth height 10-15 cm
    • Mesa Verde: A tall-growing strain that showcases 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

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Herbs