What is Delosperma?

Delosperma is a large genus of flowering plants native to the eastern and southern regions of Africa. These plants are succulents, adapted for a harsh environment with minimal water supplies. As such, they are ideal for low water gardening. Despite the fact that they originate in Africa, a region many people think of as hot and dry, Delosperma are hardy in cool and cold climates, and generally grow well in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) gardening zones five through nine.

Plants in this genus have thick, fleshy leaves and bright, showy flowers. The leaves can vary in shape and size, including tubular leaves, leaves appearing triangular in cross section, and fleshy half-round leaves. Most species are evergreen, producing green foliage, but some are deciduous or will die back in the fall. A few species have brownish or red foliage, and this has been exploited to develop specialty cultivars for gardening. The flowers may be white, yellow, pink, or purple, and consist of rayed petals around a central disc.

Members of this genus tend to be more tolerant of heavy water conditions than other succulents, although Delosperma still prefers sandy, well-drained soil without too much moisture. The plant thrives in salty and dry conditions, and can cope with soil of very low quality. Some plants creep, others trail, and some grow slightly upright. These plants can also colonize cliff faces, rooting in crevices to establish a foothold. All species can be grown both from seeds and from cuttings, and are generally very easy to grow.

Some nurseries, garden supply stores, and catalogs carry Delosperma. These succulents are also available for trade with other gardeners. People can choose between a number of cultivars with interesting physical characteristics. Good companion plants for members of this genus include other fast-growing succulents, as well as cacti. Water-loving companion plants are not recommended, as it will be difficult to balance the conflicting water needs.

One problem with Delosperma is invasiveness. Some species, like D. cooperi or hardy iceplant, are infamous for their invasive growth habits. If these plants are not grown in a controlled environment, they can spread and choke out native species. In addition, because they propagate easily from wind-blown seeds, cuttings, and dropped leaves, they can spread even when grown in containers. Gardeners with an invasion of unwanted plants will need to dig through and sift the soil to remove the network of roots and may want to consider installing a weed barrier to keep the plants from returning.