Hardy ice plant Delosperma cooperi
Hardy ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Aizoaceae family, native to Highlands of the Eastern Cape, Free State and Lesotho, South Africa. It grows 8–15 cm (3–6 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -23 °C (-9 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Hardy ice plant in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Hardy ice plant at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Aizoaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 cm (3–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -23 °C (-9 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 13–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Highlands of the Eastern Cape, Free State and Lesotho, South Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Hardy ice plant toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Toxicity is not well documented; not listed as a significant poison.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Hardy ice plant
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Hardy ice plant in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (10 plants)
Questions about Hardy ice plant
- How far apart should I plant Hardy ice plant?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Hardy ice plant need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Hardy ice plant need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Hardy ice plant?
- It tolerates about -23 °C (-9 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Hardy ice plant flower?
- From about June for 13–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Hardy ice plant poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Toxicity is not well documented; not listed as a significant poison.
- What grows well with Hardy ice plant?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hardy ice plant. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Needs sharp drainage; wet winter soil is the main cause of loss. Flowers open only in sun.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- New Zealand spinach (warrigal greens) Tetragonia tetragonioides
- Trailing ice plant (vygie) Lampranthus spectabilis
- Living stones (Leslie’s lithops) Lithops lesliei
- Hottentot fig (sour fig, ice plant) Carpobrotus edulis
- Common ice plant (crystalline ice plant) Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Lamb's ear Stachys byzantina