Overview

The Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink Ice Plant, also known as Delosperma cooperi, is an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking a vibrant, low-maintenance ground cover. This remarkable Ice Plant succulent transforms landscapes with its profusion of dazzling magenta-purple flowers that bloom generously when the weather warms. Originally introduced in the early 1990s through the Denver Botanic Garden, this variety is celebrated for its impressive cold hardiness, making it a reliable perennial in many regions. It grows vigorously, creating a dense, succulent carpet of color that is both visually appealing and highly functional. Ideal for rock gardens, borders, or even container planting, this plant brings a touch of resilient beauty to any setting.

The specific botanical name for this variety is Delosperma cooperi, commonly referred to as Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink or Pigface. Its succulent leaves are perfectly adapted to store water, allowing it to thrive in drier conditions once established. The vigorous growth habit means it quickly fills in spaces, suppressing weeds and providing an attractive, living mulch. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, this ground cover plant offers an effortless way to introduce stunning color and texture to your outdoor spaces, proving that beauty doesn’t have to be high-maintenance.

Key Benefits

The Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink Ice Plant offers a wealth of benefits, making it a favorite among gardeners. Its robust nature and striking appearance contribute to its widespread appeal, providing both aesthetic and practical advantages for any landscape.

• Vibrant Floral Display: Enjoy a spectacular show of magenta-purple flowers throughout the warmer months. The intense color adds a dramatic flair to rock gardens, pathways, and sunny borders, creating a captivating visual impact. This vivid bloom is one of the primary reasons to choose this Ice Plant succulent.
• Excellent Ground Cover: This plant spreads vigorously, forming a dense, succulent mat that effectively covers ground, suppresses weeds, and prevents soil erosion. It’s an ideal solution for difficult-to-plant areas or slopes where a low-growing, colorful solution is desired.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink requires minimal care, making it perfect for busy gardeners or those seeking an easy-to-manage landscape. Its drought tolerance means less frequent watering compared to many other flowering plants.
• Cold Hardy Succulent: This variety is notably cold hardy, capable of withstanding colder temperatures than many other succulents. This makes it a reliable perennial in a wider range of USDA zones, ensuring its return year after year. Understanding Delosperma cooperi care includes appreciating its resilience.
• Drought Tolerant: Its succulent leaves store water efficiently, allowing it to thrive in dry conditions and making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping or areas with water restrictions. It’s a true survivor in arid environments.
• Attracts Pollinators: The bright, open flowers are attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinators, contributing to the biodiversity of your garden ecosystem.
• Versatile Planting Options: While primarily a ground cover plant, it also performs beautifully in rockeries, containers, and as a border plant, adapting well to various garden designs and settings.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink Ice Plant is relatively straightforward, thanks to its resilient nature. This Ice Plant succulent thrives with proper light, water, and soil conditions, ensuring a vigorous display of its magenta-purple blooms. For optimal growth, it prefers full sun exposure, ideally receiving three hours or more of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate semi-shade, insufficient light will lead to stretched growth, making the plant appear loose and fragile. When temperatures increase to 50°F (10°C) or more, consider moving potted plants outdoors to maximize sun exposure.

When it comes to watering, the soil should be kept slightly moist, but avoid waterlogging at all costs. Overwatering is a common pitfall for succulents. During winter, reduce watering significantly, especially when temperatures drop below 41°F (5°C). In peak summer, when temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C) and growth slows, provide only a small amount of water (2-4 times a month, preferably at night) to prevent old leaves from drying out. The optimal growing temperature range is between 61-82°F (16-28°C). A well-draining soil mix is crucial; a blend of sandy loam and coarse sand with some added fertilizer provides ideal conditions. While it’s an excellent ground cover plant, it also does well in ceramic pots, which offer good permeability, unlike plastic pots that can retain too much water. The use of gravel mulch can help keep the plant’s branches and crown dry during winter, further enhancing its hardiness. For understanding Delosperma cooperi care fully, remember its need for dry conditions around its base.

Size & Details

The Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink Ice Plant is typically sold as a live plant, ready for planting in your garden or containers. This vigorous succulent forms a spreading mat, with individual plants reaching a height of approximately 3 to 6 inches and spreading up to 18 to 24 inches wide, creating a dense carpet of foliage and flowers. The growth rate is moderate to fast, allowing it to establish quickly as a ground cover plant. When shipped, smaller plants (around 2 inches) may arrive with their pot and soil, while larger plants (4 inches and above) are often shipped bare root to ensure their health and reduce shipping stress. You will receive a very similar plant to what is pictured, though slight variations in shape and color may occur due to natural growth. Expect it to bloom from late spring through fall, bringing continuous color to your landscape. This cold hardy succulent is durable and designed to thrive in various outdoor conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink Ice Plant typically grows 3 to 6 inches tall and spreads 18 to 24 inches wide, forming a dense ground cover. Its vigorous growth habit allows it to fill in spaces effectively.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This is primarily an outdoor plant, highly valued as a ground cover plant. It thrives in full sun and is a cold hardy succulent, making it suitable for various outdoor garden settings.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: The Ice Plant succulent prefers full sun, requiring at least three hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering and growth. While it tolerates semi-shade, more sun results in better blooms.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink is considered a low-maintenance plant. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering and attention, making Delosperma cooperi care relatively easy.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Plants are shipped to ensure their health. Smaller plants typically arrive in their pots with soil, while larger ones may be shipped bare root. You will receive a healthy plant similar to the product photos.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: This plant typically blooms from late spring through fall, providing an extended period of vibrant magenta-purple flowers. Established plants will bloom reliably each season.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, this is a cold hardy succulent, known for its ability to withstand colder temperatures than many other varieties. It’s suitable for a wide range of USDA hardiness zones, making it a reliable perennial.
• Q: What’s the optimal soil type for this plant? A: The Mesembryanthemum Hot Pink thrives in loose, breathable, well-draining soil. A mix of sandy loam and coarse sand, possibly with some added fertilizer, is ideal for its growth.
• Q: Can I grow this plant in a pot? A: Absolutely! While it’s an excellent ground cover, the Ice Plant succulent also grows well in ceramic pots. Ceramic pots offer good permeability, which is beneficial for succulents.
• Q: What is the best way to water this plant? A: Keep the soil slightly moist but avoid waterlogging. Reduce watering significantly in winter and provide only minimal water during extreme summer heat to prevent moisture stress.