Delosperma congestum iceplant
Delosperma
Delosperma is a genus of low-growing, perennial succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, native mainly to the mountainous and semi‑desert regions of southern Africa, where it inhabits rocky slopes, crevices, and places where water disappears before it has a chance to soak in. The genus was described in the early 20th century by the British botanist Nicholas Edward Brown (1849–1934), who noticed the tiny, glistening cells on the surface of the leaves—features that gave the plants their name, derived from the Greek delos ("conspicuous") and sperma ("seed"). Iceplants are characterized by their fleshy, evergreen leaves capable of storing water for long periods, and by their strictly mat‑forming, creeping habit, which allows them to create dense, low carpets. During flowering, these inconspicuous cushions transform into a blaze of daisy‑like blooms that open only in full sun and rank among the most rewarding ornaments of dry, heat‑exposed sites.
The species Delosperma congestum, botanically described in 1954 by the South African botanist Louisa Bolus, originates from higher mountainous regions of southern Africa, where it grows in cooler locations with pronounced temperature fluctuations, intense sunlight, and very low rainfall. In its natural habitat, it colonizes shallow, stony soils and rock crevices where water disappears quickly after rain and the roots are exposed to alternating periods of drought and short‑term cold. The species epithet congestum, meaning “dense” or “crowded,” perfectly reflects its natural growth habit—compact, tightly packed cushions of short, fleshy leaves that minimize water loss and protect the plant from environmental extremes. Delosperma congestum reached European gardens only in the second half of the 20th century, when it became clear that it was not merely a botanical curiosity from African mountains, but a long‑lived and exceptionally reliable rock garden plant for dry, sun‑baked sites. It was this species that later became one of the key foundations for breeding frost‑hardy ice plants, now considered a standard component of modern drought‑tolerant plantings.
Delosperma congestum is a low‑growing, perennial rock garden plant that forms firm, dense cushions of tightly packed leaves. The leaves are short, fleshy, and evergreen, light to medium green in colour. In full sun, their surface often shows a subtle sparkle caused by tiny reflective cells, giving the plant a lightly sugar‑coated appearance. Even as it ages, the plant keeps its compact shape and does not break apart into loose or untidy growth. From late spring through summer, single daisy‑like flowers appear above the foliage, with narrow, glossy petals most often in shades of yellow. The flowers open only in sunny weather and close again in the evening, a typical feature of ice plants.
The plant grows very close to the ground and slowly spreads sideways, forming continuous mats. It is not aggressive and expands in a calm, balanced way without overwhelming neighbouring plants. This growth habit reflects its origin in high‑mountain environments, where a low, tightly pressed form helps protect the plant from wind, cold, and drying conditions. In gardens, it is easily propagated by rooting shoots or by dividing older clumps.
Delosperma congestum requires full sun and perfectly well‑drained soil; the drier and poorer the site, the better it performs. Watering should be limited and only occasional only after transplanting, as prolonged moisture – especially in winter – is the most common cause of failure. The soil should be neutral to slightly alkaline, with a high proportion of mineral components. Fertilization is unnecessary, but in containers the plant benefits from a very light application of a mineral fertilizer during the growing season, preferably based on potassium and phosphorus; nitrogen‑rich fertilizers should be avoided. Frost hardiness reaches down to −30 °C (USDA zone 5), with some growers reporting even lower tolerance under dry conditions and excellent drainage. In containers, winter protection should focus on keeping the plant dry rather than warm, ideally by placing the pot under a roof overhang. The plant is evergreen, non‑toxic, and free of special demands or risks, making it suitable even for low‑maintenance gardens.
Last update 02-06-2015; 15-02-2026
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
