Whenever you think of Ice Plants, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Chances are it was something related to their invasive nature but did you know that not all Ice Plants are considered invasive?
Ice Plants are part of a massive group of plants called Family Aizoaceae, or the Fig-Marigold Family. There are about 1800 different species of plants in Family Aizoaceae, a few hundred of them being Ice Plants. The most well-known Ice Plants are Carpobrotus edulis (Highway Ice Plant) and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (African Crystalline Ice Plant), known for their incredibly invasive growth habits and detrimental effects on the California Coast.
What makes these two species so invasive? C. edulis and M. crystallinum are native both to Africa and were introduced to the United States as a drought-tolerant landscaping plant used to control erosion. Ice plants are dense, creeping ground covers that require very little care so they work very well for controlling erosion without needing constant attention. What landscapers didn’t know at the time was that these Ice Plants were very competitive in nature. They could grow very large, very rapidly, taking over landscapes and choking out the native flora. They also have the ability to self-pollinate and self-propagate meaning they don’t need a pollinator in order to reproduce and spread. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum stores salt in its succulent leaves so when the leaves fall off and decompose, the salt is leached back into the soil making it a lot harder for the native flora to grow there.
Luckily for us gardeners, not all Ice Plants are invasive so we can still admire their beauty in our landscapes. Delosperma spp. is a perfect example of an Ice Plant commonly sold in nurseries that don’t wreak havoc on our fragile ecosystems. Delosperma are far less competitive in nature, growing much slower and smaller than their aggressive cousins. Their denser and more compact habit also makes them much better at controlling erosion than C. edulis and M. crystallinum, as they tend to be leggier and less dense.
Aside from their less-competitive nature, what else makes Delosperma a great landscaping plant? Delosperma has gorgeous flowers that attract a multitude of pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The flower colors range from shockingly hot pinks, vibrant yellows to calming lavenders and so many other colors in between. They bloom from early spring to late fall, sometimes blooming so profusely, you can’t even see their succulent foliage! What a Show! Delosperma is also a xeroscaping favorite and great for beginner-level gardeners, as they require very little care. They can be used in gravelly rock gardens, container gardens, and drape over retaining walls, or be used as a low-lying bordering plant in elaborate landscape designs. Due to its succulent nature, colder and wetter climates are not always favorable and can cause the plant to die back in the winter if not protected. However, no pests bother this plant so you won’t have to worry about protecting it from critters.
Despite the negative reputation the Ice Plants have received, not all Ice Plants are created equal. Delosperma truly comes out on top!
Want to try one out in your garden? Here’s what we have available:
- Delosperma ‘Lavender Ice’ – Lavender Flowers
- Delosperma ‘Blut’ – Deep Purple Flowers
- Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Garnet’ – Hot Pink Flowers
- Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Peridot’ – Vibrant Yellow Flowers