Purple Ice Plant

Plant Type: ground cover
Plant Height: 3-6 inches
Spread: 18-24 inches
Flower Color: bright purple
Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Purple Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi): A Vibrant, Low-Maintenance Groundcover for Water-Wise Gardens

The Purple Ice Plant, scientifically known as Delosperma cooperi, is a hardy perennial succulent originating from South Africa, widely celebrated for its drought tolerance and stunning purple flowers. Ideal for rock gardens, slopes, and areas needing ground cover, this plant brings color and resilience to any landscape.

Key Features of the Purple Ice Plant

• Eye-Catching Flowers: Daisy-like blooms in vivid purple cover the plant from late spring to early fall, creating a carpet of color that attracts bees and butterflies. These flowers open with the sunlight, closing in the evening or on cloudy days.
• Succulent Foliage: Fleshy, green leaves often tinged with purple enhance the plant’s water-conserving abilities and add a unique texture to the landscape.
• Groundcover Habit: Low-growing and mat-forming, the Purple Ice Plant spreads quickly, making it excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes or bare areas.

Ideal Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun, which encourages the most vibrant flowering and healthy growth.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil and is well-suited to sandy or rocky conditions.
• Water Requirements: Drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.

Landscaping Uses

• Groundcover: Covers bare soil with its low-growing, spreading habit, helping to reduce weeds and prevent soil erosion.
• Rock Gardens and Slopes: Perfect for rocky areas and slopes where other plants may struggle, providing both color and practicality.
• Container Gardening: Its trailing growth habit works beautifully in containers, allowing it to spill over edges and add color to patios and terraces.

Care Tips

• Watering: Requires minimal watering once established, needing more frequent watering only in extreme drought.
• Maintenance: Generally low-maintenance; removing spent flowers and trimming overgrown sections can help maintain shape and encourage continuous blooming.

Summary

Purple Ice Plant is an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking color, low maintenance, and drought tolerance. Its combination of brilliant blooms, water-conserving foliage, and spreading growth habit makes it an ideal plant for rock gardens, ground cover, and sustainable landscaping. Whether used for erosion control, as a pollinator-friendly groundcover, or in containers, Purple Ice Plant brings year-round appeal to any garden.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Purple Ice Plant

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal growth and blooming)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 12-18 inches apart for spreading ground cover and better air circulation
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: Purple Ice Plant is a ground cover that requires no staking

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 3-4 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1 inch of water per session for deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Purple Ice Plant is considered established after 2-3 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 6-12 inches away from the base of the plant for even watering
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour
• Number of Emitters: 1 emitter per plant for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: In summer, increase watering frequency to every 5-7 days. In winter, reduce to every 3-4 weeks