Delosperma cooperi Hardy Ice Plant: A Colorful, Drought-Tolerant Wonder
If you’re on the hunt for a plant that looks like a showstopper but acts like a survivor, the Delosperma cooperi Hardy Ice Plant might just be your new garden favorite.
Delosperma Granita Raspberry Hardy Ice Plant Care Tips
Meet the Delosperma cooperi Hardy Ice Plant—a low-maintenance, high-impact plant that thrives in full sun, poor soil, and dry conditions. In this video, I’ll show you why it’s one of my top picks for xeriscaping, rooftop gardens, and hanging baskets.
🌵 Meet the Hardy Ice Plant
If you’re after a plant that brings bold color without needing babying, the Delosperma cooperi Hardy Ice Plant is one tough cookie that delivers.
It’s a sun-loving, drought-tolerant succulent that blooms like crazy and shrugs off heat, wind, and neglect.
🌸 What Makes It Special?
This vibrant ground-hugger isn’t just pretty—it’s practical. Check out why it’s turning heads:
💜 Bright magenta flowers that bloom nonstop from spring to fall
🌞 Full sun and low water? No problem
🪴 Spills beautifully from containers or hanging baskets
🏙️ Ideal for rooftop gardens where conditions can be hot, windy, and dry
🌿 Why It’s Popping Up Everywhere
You’ll find Delosperma cooperi in more than just desert landscapes:
A favorite in xeriscaping and rock gardens
Perfect for hanging baskets and sunny patios
Makes a smart choice for balconies or rooftop gardens
Hardy to Zone 5 and practically unkillable (unless you overwater it)
It’s the kind of plant that thrives on neglect, puts on a show, and works in all the sunny spots you’ve been trying to fill—indoors or out.
🌿 What Is Delosperma cooperi?
Delosperma cooperi, also known as the Hardy Ice Plant, is a ground-hugging, sun-loving succulent that packs a punch of color and durability. Native to South Africa, this little plant has made a big name for itself in tough garden spots across the U.S.
📛 Common Names
You might hear it called by a few different names:
Hardy Ice Plant
Trailing Ice Plant
Pink Carpet
Whatever you call it, it’s a superstar in hot, dry, and challenging spots.
🧬 Key Features
Here’s what you’re working with:
🌱 Type: Perennial succulent
📏 Height: 3 to 6 inches
↔️ Spread: Up to 2 feet wide
🌼 Bloom Time: Late spring through fall
🎨 Flower Color: Bright magenta to deep purple
☀️ Sun Needs: Full sun (6–8 hours a day)
🌡️ Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
💧 Water Needs: Very low
🌎 Where It Shines
Thanks to its low profile and fast spread, Delosperma cooperi is ideal for:
Rock gardens and slopes
Xeriscape designs
Between stepping stones
Rooftop and balcony containers
Hanging baskets and raised planters
Delosperma cooperi
Delosperma cooperi (syn. Mesembryanthemum cooperi), the trailing Iceplant, hardy iceplant or pink carpet, is a dwarf perennial plant native to South Africa. It forms a dense lawn with abundant, long-lasting flowers.
It reaches sizes of approximately 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall, with fleshy leaves that are linear and simple and can grow up to 1.5 inches long and a trailing stem that hangs down.
If you’re looking for a plant that pulls double duty—looking good and asking for almost nothing in return—Delosperma cooperi is it. It’s tough, colorful, and plays well with others, whether you’re landscaping a hillside or sprucing up a hanging pot.
🌟 Standout Benefits
Let’s break down why this plant keeps winning hearts:
🎨 Nonstop Color The vibrant blooms put on a show from late spring to the first frost. It’s like having a built-in flower display with zero effort.
💦 Drought-Tolerant Superstar Forget the daily watering schedule. These fleshy leaves store water, so they thrive in dry soil and intense sun.
🐝 Pollinator-Friendly Bees and butterflies love the bright, open flowers—perfect for adding life to your space.
🪴 Versatile Grower Works in-ground or in containers, and it’s especially good for:
Hanging baskets
Window boxes
Rooftop gardens
Xeriscaped front yards
❄️ Cold-Hardy and Heat-Tough Handles snowy winters (down to Zone 5) and scorching summers with ease—as long as the soil drains well.
🌱 Low-Maintenance Charm
This plant practically grows itself. Just give it sun, let the soil dry out between waterings, and it’ll reward you with a blanket of blooms.
🌵 Hardy Ice Plant as a Xeriscape Champion
🌞 Designed for Dry Gardens
Natural drought resistance thanks to succulent leaves
Thrives in poor, sandy, or rocky soils
🌿 Perfect for Ground Cover
Fast-spreading mat-forming habit
Suppresses weeds and stabilizes slopes
🌸 Bursts of Color in Harsh Conditions
Blooms even in hot, dry summers
Contrasts beautifully with gravel, boulders, and other xeric plants
🏙️ Ice Plant for Rooftop Gardens
Got a rooftop that bakes in the sun and gets whipped by wind? Delosperma cooperi is made for that kind of challenge.
It’s a resilient little powerhouse that adds bright color, thrives in containers, and shrugs off the harsh conditions most rooftop gardens throw its way.
🌞 Why It Works So Well
Rooftop gardens can be tricky, but Hardy Ice Plant doesn’t mind:
🌬️ Wind-tolerant: The low, trailing habit hugs containers and resists damage
🌡️ Heat-loving: Full sun and high temps only make it bloom more
🪴 Container-friendly: Grows beautifully in shallow pots, raised beds, or hanging baskets
💧 Low water needs: Perfect if you can’t always get to the roof with a watering can
🧱 Best Ways to Use It
Here’s how to make it work on your rooftop:
Line it along the edges of containers to spill over with color
Plant it in long trough planters for a living, flowering border
Mix it with other drought-tolerant succulents like sedum or hens and chicks
Use it as a lightweight ground cover in rooftop beds or green roofs
🌿 Extra Tips
Use a cactus or succulent potting mix for drainage
Make sure your pots have drainage holes—wet roots are its only real weakness
Position where it gets at least 6 hours of direct sun
With just a little setup, you’ll get a bloom-filled rooftop that turns heads and asks for nothing in return.
🧺 Growing Hardy Ice Plant in Hanging Baskets
Looking to add a splash of color that spills over the edges of your pots? Delosperma cooperi is a natural fit for hanging baskets.
It trails beautifully, flowers nonstop, and doesn’t need much more than sunlight and a quick drink now and then.
🌼 Why It Shines in Hanging Baskets
This isn’t just a ground cover—it’s a showstopper in the air too:
🌸 Cascading growth that spills over pots like a living waterfall
🎨 Bright blooms that pop against railings, fences, or walls
🐝 Pollinator-friendly even on patios and balconies
🪴 Perfect for small-space gardens or renters with limited planting areas
🧰 Tips for Hanging Success
Keep your hanging baskets happy with a few simple tricks:
🪻 Potting mix: Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent blend
🌞 Sunlight: Give it 6–8 hours of full sun daily
💧 Watering: Let the soil dry out between deep waterings
🌡️ Placement: Choose a spot that’s warm and bright—south or west-facing works great
🚿 Don’t overwater: This is where most folks go wrong!
🌿 Bonus: Indoor Hanging Baskets
Yep, you can even grow it indoors just give it:
A sunny south-facing window, or
Bright LED grow lights for at least 6 hours a day
It’s low-effort, high-reward, and perfect for brightening up your porch, balcony, or sunny indoor nook.
🌱 How to Plant and Care for Delosperma cooperi
This is one of those plants that wants to succeed. As long as you avoid soggy soil, Delosperma cooperi will reward you with color, growth, and almost zero fuss.
🪴 Planting Basics
Whether you’re tucking it into a rock garden or dropping it into a hanging basket, start with the right setup:
Soil: Use sandy, rocky, or cactus mix—must drain fast
Location: Full sun is key—6 to 8 hours daily
Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart to allow spreading
💡 Tip: Slightly raise the planting area or use mounded soil if drainage is questionable.
💧 Watering Routine
This plant doesn’t like wet feet! Here’s how to water:
Let the soil dry out completely between waterings
Water deeply but infrequently
Skip watering during rainy periods or cold snaps
🌧️ In containers, make sure there’s a drainage hole—no standing water!
🌞 Light and Temperature
Sunlight: Needs full sun for best bloom and form
Indoors: South-facing windows or full-spectrum grow lights
Hardiness: Survives down to USDA Zone 5 with good drainage
🍽️ Fertilizing
Not a heavy feeder! But if you want to give it a boost:
Use a diluted, balanced fertilizer once in spring
Avoid high-nitrogen formulas—they lead to more leaves, fewer flowers
✂️ Maintenance and Pruning
Not much to do here:
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers
Trim leggy stems to keep it neat
Pull any weeds that sneak through its dense mat
With just a little attention, your Hardy Ice Plant will thrive for years, spreading sunshine wherever it grows.
Delosperma cooperi Plant Care Reference Guide
Characteristic
Details
Common Name
Hardy Ice Plant
Botanical Name
Delosperma cooperi
Native Habitat
South Africa
Plant Type
Succulent perennial
Growth Pattern
Low-growing, mat-forming, trailing
Mature Size
3–6 inches tall, spreads up to 24 inches
Watering
Low; allow soil to dry out completely between waterings
Light/Sun Exposure
Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
Soil Type
Well-draining; sandy, rocky, or cactus mix
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.0)
Temperature
Tolerates heat; avoid freezing in soggy soil
Humidity
Low humidity preferred
Bloom Time & Flower Color
Late spring to fall; vivid magenta-purple flowers
Potential Problems
Root rot from overwatering; leggy growth in low light
Repotting
Rarely needed; only when root-bound or overgrown
Hardiness Zones (USDA)
Zones 5–9
🌿 Propagation: Multiply the Magic
Once you fall in love with Delosperma cooperi, you’ll want more of it—and luckily, it’s super easy to propagate.
Whether you’re expanding your xeriscape or filling a few more hanging pots, this plant makes it simple.
✂️ Propagating from Stem Cuttings
This is the easiest and fastest method:
Snip a healthy stem about 3–4 inches long
Let it callous over for a day or two (just leave it out of direct sun)
Stick it in dry, well-draining soil—no rooting hormone needed
Water lightly after a few days, then let the soil dry out again
Place in bright light and wait for roots to form in 2–3 weeks
🌱 Tip: Start a few cuttings at once—you’ll likely get near 100% success.
🔁 Division
If your plant is well-established and spreading, you can divide it:
Gently lift a section of the mat
Look for natural separations or rooted segments
Replant the divided clumps in sunny, well-drained spots
Water once, then let them settle in
🌞 Best Time to Propagate
Spring through early summer is ideal
Avoid cold or overly wet seasons—root rot is more likely
This plant grows fast once it’s rooted, so you’ll have new starts in no time!
⚠️ Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Good news—Delosperma cooperi is one of the least fussy plants you can grow. But like any plant, there are a few things to watch out for. Most issues come down to too much love (aka, too much water).
🚱 Problem #1: Overwatering
This is the #1 killer of Hardy Ice Plants.
Symptoms: Mushy stems, yellowing leaves, root rot
Fix: Let the soil dry completely between waterings and always use a well-draining mix
Prevention: Use pots with drainage holes and avoid planting in clay-heavy soil
💧 Rule of thumb: When in doubt, don’t water!
🌥️ Problem #2: Not Enough Light
Without full sun, this plant gets leggy and won’t bloom much.
Symptoms: Stretchy stems, fewer flowers, pale leaves
Fix: Move it to a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
Prevention: Avoid shaded corners or dark indoor spots
🧊 Problem #3: Cold + Wet = Trouble
It’s cold-hardy to Zone 5 only if the soil drains well. Cold + wet = rot.
Symptoms: Blackened stems in spring, mushy roots
Fix: Improve drainage or raise beds in cold climates
Prevention: Don’t water late in the season, and avoid soggy soil in winter
🐜 Pests? Rarely!
You’re unlikely to see much pest activity, but occasionally:
Aphids or mealybugs might show up in crowded pots
Fix: Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed
Tip: Keep air flowing and avoid over-fertilizing
This plant is as close to “set it and forget it” as you can get.
🌼 Best Companion Plants for Ice Plant
Pairing your Delosperma cooperi with the right companions can take your garden from good to drop-dead gorgeous—without upping your water bill. The trick? Stick with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants that can handle the same conditions.
🌿 Rock-Solid Companions
Here are some plants that thrive alongside Hardy Ice Plant in xeriscapes, containers, or rooftop beds:
Sedum – Low-growing and colorful, with similar water needs
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks) – Adds rosette texture and contrast
Thyme – Ground-hugging and fragrant with tiny flowers
Lavender – Taller, aromatic, and great for pollinators
Euphorbia – Unique form and very drought-tolerant
Blue Fescue – Adds grassy texture and cool-toned contrast
Agave – A bold, sculptural choice for desert-themed designs
🪴 Container Combos That Work
If you’re growing in pots or hanging baskets, try mixing Delosperma cooperi with:
Trailing rosemary
Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Dusty miller for silver contrast
Miniature ornamental grasses
🌞 Make sure everyone in the pot likes sun and dry feet!
🧠 Design Tip
Use Hardy Ice Plant as your colorful “spiller” in the thriller-filler-spiller container planting formula. It’ll tumble over the sides while playing nice with bolder plants in the center.
🎨 Popular Varieties and Colors
While Delosperma cooperi is best known for its vivid magenta blooms, there’s a whole rainbow of ice plant varieties out there. If you’re looking to mix things up—or fill in an entire color palette—these standout cultivars make it easy.
🌺 Classic Favorite
Delosperma cooperi
Bright magenta-purple flowers
Fast-spreading ground cover
Hardy and reliable
This is the variety most folks think of when they hear “Hardy Ice Plant.”
💎 Jewel of the Desert Series
This newer group brings even more color to the party—and blooms longer into the season.
‘Garnet’ – Deep red with a glowing yellow center
‘Peridot’ – Sunny yellow with hints of orange
‘Topaz’ – Peachy pink with a golden center
‘Moonstone’ – Crisp white, great for contrast
‘Ruby’ – Bright ruby-red petals with bold impact
🌈 Pro tip: Mix a few varieties together for a living rainbow that blooms from spring to fall.
🌟 Granita Series
These are compact and extra cold-hardy—great for hanging baskets and smaller spaces.
‘Granita Raspberry’ – Rich raspberry-pink petals
‘Granita Orange’ – Sunset-toned and cheerful
‘Granita Gold’ – Bright golden blooms that pop against dark foliage
🪴 Ideal for patios, balconies, and containers with limited room but big color needs.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Love This Plant
If you want bold color, low effort, and a plant that can handle just about anything, Delosperma cooperi is your new garden buddy. It’s the kind of plant that makes you look like a pro—even if you forget to water it now and then.
💖 Here’s Why It Deserves a Spot in Your Garden:
💦 Thrives in drought and poor soil
🌞 Loves full sun and bakes in the heat without blinking
🎨 Blooms its heart out for months
🪴 Perfect for xeriscapes, hanging baskets, rooftops, and more
😎 Practically impossible to kill if you let the soil dry out
Whether you’re working with a sunny yard, a balcony, or a rooftop space, this plant brings color, charm, and serious toughness to the table.
Give it a try—you won’t regret it. Once you plant one, you’ll want five more.
