Trailing Ice Plant

Delosperma cooperi is native to the high-altitude regions of eastern South Africa and Lesotho.

• Found in the Drakensberg Mountains and surrounding highlands of the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Lesotho
• Occurs at elevations of approximately 1,500 to 2,800 meters
• Grows on rocky slopes, cliff faces, gravelly plains, and mountain grassland
• The region receives 500 to 900 mm of annual rainfall, predominantly in summer, with frequent winter snowfall at higher elevations
• First described by the English botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1867 as Mesembryanthemum cooperi
• The high Drakensberg environment is characterized by intense UV radiation, freezing winters, and strong winds — conditions to which the species is remarkably adapted
• Widely naturalized in the western United States, southern Europe, and Australia

A low-growing, mat-forming, trailing succulent perennial.

Stems:
• Prostrate, trailing, rooting at nodes where they contact soil
• Stems fleshy, cylindrical, 3 to 5 mm in diameter, bright green to reddish
• Can reach 30 to 60 cm in length, forming dense mats 8 to 15 cm tall

Leaves:
• Succulent, cylindrical to slightly flattened, 15 to 40 mm long and 3 to 5 mm in diameter
• Bright green, covered in tiny glistening bladder cells (idioblasts) that give a frosted, crystalline appearance
• Cross-section roughly triangular to cylindrical
• Arranged alternately along the stems

Flowers:
• Solitary, terminal, daisy-like, 30 to 50 mm in diameter
• Petals numerous, narrow, brilliant magenta-purple to hot pink, radiating from a yellowish-white center
• Produced continuously from early summer to autumn, with peak bloom in midsummer
• Opening in bright sunlight and closing at night or on cloudy days

Fruit:
• Small, hygrochastic capsule — opens only when wetted, revealing the seeds
• Seeds very small, pale brown, broadly distributed by rain splash

Roots:
• Fibrous root system, readily producing new roots at stem nodes
• Shallow but extensive, efficient at capturing brief rainfall

A versatile, cold-hardy succulent adapted to harsh mountain conditions.

Habitat:
• Rocky slopes, cliff faces, and gravelly mountain grassland in the Drakensberg
• Grows in full sun among rocks that provide some root-zone moisture retention
• Tolerates extreme conditions: intense UV, freezing temperatures, strong winds, and prolonged drought

Adaptations:
• Bladder cells (idioblasts) on leaves reflect excess sunlight and store water, providing both drought protection and UV filtering
• Trailing growth habit allows stems to root at nodes, creating new anchor points and expanding the colony
• CAM photosynthesis supplements standard C3 metabolism, enhancing water-use efficiency
• Exceptional cold hardiness — tolerates temperatures to approximately -20°C, making it one of the most cold-tolerant succulents

Ecological Role:
• Flowers provide important nectar and pollen resources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during the summer months
• Dense mats help stabilize soil on slopes and prevent erosion
• In its native habitat, contributes to mountain grassland biodiversity alongside other alpine succulents

Delosperma cooperi is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

• The species has a broad distribution across the Drakensberg and is locally abundant
• Populations occur within several protected areas including the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho
• No significant threats to wild populations have been identified
• The species is readily propagated in cultivation, eliminating any collection pressure on wild populations

One of the easiest and most rewarding succulents to grow, Delosperma cooperi is ideal for xeriscaping, rock gardens, and green roofs.

Soil:
• Adaptable to a wide range of well-draining soils, including sandy, gravelly, and rocky substrates
• Tolerates poor, nutrient-deficient soils
• Good drainage is essential — avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions
• pH adaptable, preferring neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5 to 8.0)

Light:
• Full sun to light shade — best flowering occurs with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
• Tolerates intense heat and reflected light from paved surfaces
• Flower production diminishes significantly in shady conditions

Water:
• Drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal supplemental irrigation
• Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system
• After establishment, water only during extended dry periods
• Overwatering promotes excessive, floppy growth and can cause root rot

Temperature:
• Remarkably cold-hardy, surviving temperatures to -20°C or lower when established
• Also heat-tolerant, thriving in temperatures above 35°C
• Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 to 10

Propagation:
• Extremely easy from stem cuttings — simply cut a 5 to 10 cm stem section, remove lower leaves, and plant directly in well-draining soil
• Cuttings root within 7 to 14 days under warm conditions
• Also propagated from seed, though germination can be irregular
• Plants spread rapidly through self-layering of trailing stems