Delosperma cooperi Cooper's ice plant
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"). Delospermas 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 cooperi, botanically described in 1927 by the South African botanist Louisa Bolus, originates from mountainous regions of southern Africa, including present‑day South Africa, Lesotho, and the former Orange Free State. The species epithet cooperi was given in honor of Thomas Cooper (1815–1913), a British gardener and plant collector who worked in southern Africa during the 19th century and whose collections played an important role in the study of the local flora. The plant occurs mainly in areas with predominantly summer rainfall, on open, sunny sites with stony, fast‑draining soils. In its natural habitat, it forms freely branching, sprawling succulent subshrubs that can reach approximately 20 cm in height. The flowers are showy, deep purple in color, with delicate pale pink to white stamens and prominent yellow anthers. The species is considered half‑hardy and, in garden cultivation, requires a very well‑drained, sunny position, where it is protected above all from excessive winter moisture.
Cooper’s ice plant is among the most strikingly flowering species of ice plants, characterized by a looser, spreading growth habit. The leaves are fleshy, cylindrical to slightly flattened, medium green in colour, arranged on creeping to ascending shoots that branch readily and gradually form continuous mats. The leaf surface is subtly glossy due to tiny translucent cells typical of the genus Delosperma. The plant retains a fresh appearance for most of the year, especially in sunny and dry locations.
Flowering is one of the main strengths of this species. The flowers appear from late spring through summer and, under favourable conditions, may continue for an extended period. They are relatively large and showy, deep purple to violet in color, with contrasting pale pink to white stamens and yellow anthers. The flowers open only in sunny weather and close again in the evening or during overcast conditions. Owing to its abundant flowering and intense coloration, this ice plant ranks among the most prominent and widely cultivated species of the genus in regions where reliable overwintering is possible.
Cooper’s ice plant requires full sun and very well‑drained soil; the drier and more mineral‑poor the site, the better it maintains compact growth and abundant flowering. Watering should be limited and short‑term, mainly after planting or during prolonged drought; persistent waterlogging is the most common cause of failure, particularly in winter. The soil should be neutral to slightly alkaline, with a high proportion of gravel or stone to ensure rapid drainage. Fertilization is not necessary, though in containers a very weak application of mineral fertilizer with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus during the growing season may be beneficial; nitrogen‑rich fertilizers should be avoided. In dry conditions, the plant tolerates frost down to approximately –18 °C (USDA zone 7), with protection from winter moisture being far more important than protection from cold. In containers, it is advisable to provide shelter primarily from rain and snow, for example by placing the pot under a roof overhang. The plant is evergreen, non‑toxic, and long‑lived when grown in suitable conditions, making it well suited to low‑maintenance gardens.
Last update 15-02-2026
