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Delosperma JEWEL OF DESERT ice plant
Symbivit Tric (arbuscular)
Symbivit (arbuscular)Delosperma
Delosperma, known as ice plant, is a genus of low‑growing, perennial succulents in the family Aizoaceae, native mainly to the mountainous and arid regions of southern and eastern Africa, from Lesotho and South Africa to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Tanzania and Kenya, with additional occurrences on Madagascar, Réunion and even Yemen. The genus was formally established in the early twentieth century by the British botanist Nicholas Edward Brown (1849–1934), who separated it from the broadly defined Mesembryanthemum on the basis of its distinctive capsule structure. This feature also gave the genus its name: delos means evident and sperma seed, referring to the fact that the seeds are not covered by a membrane and become exposed when the capsule is moistened. The leaves are fleshy, water‑retentive and often dotted with tiny, light‑reflecting cells that give the plants their characteristic sparkle. Most species grow strictly at ground level, forming dense, low mats that erupt into a mass of daisy‑like flowers opening only in full sun. This combination of extreme resilience, frugal growth and unexpected colour explains why ice plants are among the most reliable perennials for dry, sun‑exposed sites in temperate climates, where many other plants struggle.
The diversity within the genus has long inspired breeders to create modern cold‑hardy hybrids. Their foundation lies in several species native to the high mountains of southern Africa, where plants endure intense sunlight, sharp temperature swings and fast‑draining, stony soils. D. cooperi is used most frequently, contributing vivid purple flowers and a rapid, mat‑forming habit. D. nubigenum, native to Lesotho and the high plateaus of South Africa, adds exceptional frost tolerance and a low, compact growth. D. sutherlandii brings larger flowers and strongly papillose leaves, while D. basuticum is valued for its ability to withstand prolonged drought. An important role is also played by D. congestum, a species from the mountains of Lesotho that contributes an extremely dense, low habit, high resistance to winter moisture and the capacity to form firm, long‑lived clumps, traits that stabilise growth and increase reliability in temperate climates. Each species offers something different – colour, flower form, density, hardiness or resilience – and their combination produces modern cultivars capable of thriving in temperate regions. Many of these species were originally collected during botanical expeditions into remote mountain areas, where they survive in narrow rock fissures. Thanks to the careful combination of the most suitable parents, today’s hybrids not only carry the showy flowers typical of more delicate species but also reliably withstand winter temperatures between –24 and –30 °C, provided they are not exposed to prolonged moisture.
The Jewel of Desert series offers ice plants with exceptionally striking flowers in an extraordinary range of colours – from pure white and bright yellow through pink and several shades of red to fiery and orange tones that are truly eye‑catching. The flowers resemble large daisies, they are typically 2–4 cm across, and appear in great abundance from early summer well into autumn, often lasting until the first cold days as long as the sun is shining. The plants quickly produce new shoots, allowing them to spread into dense carpets that reliably cover the ground even in places where other plants struggle due to heat and drought.
Jewel of Desert series includes several cultivars which differ mainly in flower colour, while growth habit and cultivation characteristics remain highly uniform throughout the series. These have been introduced so far:
- Amethyst – deep pink (‘DSAM131’, EU 42933)
- Candystone – lilac pink (‘18CAN62’, EU 51780)
- Garnet – red (EU 34141)
- Grenade – deep red (‘DSAA131’, EU 42934)
- Moon Stone – white (EU 34143)
- Opal – intense lilac pink (‘DSAB131’, EU 42935)
- Peridot – yellow (EU 34142)
- Rosequartz – light pink (‘12ROSK1’, EU 39388)
- Ruby – purple red petals, orange corolla, white centres (EU 34139)
- Sunstone – copper red (‘18SUN52’, EU 51781)
- Topaz – golden yellow with white centres (EU 34140)
Ice plants are primarily grown in rock gardens and similarly styled plantings – among stones, in ornamental gravel, or in the crevices of dry stone walls – and combine well with perennials that share similar requirements but flower at different times, extending the overall attractiveness of the composition. They look particularly good among houseleeks and Lewisia, and can also be combined with low, compact drought‑tolerant grasses such as fescues. Stonecrops offer a contrasting palette of foliage colours, while ground‑covering pinks provide a different flower form. For those who enjoy herbs, the lowest‑growing types such as thyme or savory are especially suitable.
The Jewel of Desert series is the result of a long‑term breeding program focused on ice plants with an exceptionally long flowering period, high drought tolerance, and the ability to overwinter reliably even in cooler climates. The series was developed by Koichiro Nishikawa, who began breeding the genus Delosperma in Japan in 1996 with the aim of creating plants that combine rapid growth, abundant flowering, and minimal water requirements. Over the years, he worked with several species, crossing them to create a carefully balanced genetic mix focused on beauty, durability, and reliability, without a clearly dominant species in individual cultivars. In 2006, Nishikawa moved both his family and the breeding work to the high‑altitude regions of Ecuador, where stable conditions and the possibility of year‑round work significantly accelerated the development of new hybrids. Nishikawa is regarded as a respected breeder of drought‑tolerant perennials, and his work is valued especially for its emphasis on long‑term plant performance under real garden conditions. In Europe, his plants are available through licensing cooperation with Plantipp and Ron van Dijk.
Last update 02-06-2015; 15-02-2026
Hardy ice plants require full sun and perfectly drained soil, ideally gravelly or sandy, where water runs off quickly. In heavier soils, drainage is essential, otherwise the plants suffer from winter moisture, which is more dangerous to them than frost itself. Watering is needed only during prolonged drought, as they cope well with natural rainfall. Feeding is unnecessary, though a light application of low‑nitrogen fertiliser in spring encourages stronger growth. They do not need pruning; removing dead parts after winter is enough to help them recover. In older plants growing in poorer soils, cutting back thin, trailing shoots in early spring has proved effective, as it encourages the cushions to thicken. Container growing is possible only with extremely fast drainage and frost‑free conditions, otherwise the plants are short‑lived. Wind does not harm them and even helps keep the surface dry. They are not poisonous or harmful. Frost tolerance varies according to the parent species, but under suitable conditions they withstand at least –24 °C (USDA zone 6), provided they are not exposed to prolonged moisture.
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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.
