Red Spike Ice Plant

Plant Type: groundcover
Plant Height: 4-6 inches
Spread: 12-18 inches
Flower Color: bright red
Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Red Spike Ice Plant (Cephalophyllum 'Red Spike') – The Ultimate Drought-Resistant Groundcover for Phoenix Landscapes

Transform your Phoenix Valley landscape with the Red Spike Ice Plant (Cephalophyllum 'Red Spike'), a stunning, low-maintenance succulent that thrives in Arizona’s desert climate. Known for its vivid red flowers and exceptional drought tolerance, this groundcover is a favorite for xeriscaping and water-conscious gardens throughout Arizona. Originally native to South Africa, the Red Spike Ice Plant is specially adapted to survive and flourish in rocky, arid environments, making it a perfect match for the Phoenix Valley’s sun-soaked landscapes.

Characteristics and Growth Habit

Growing to a height of just 4 to 6 inches and spreading up to 18 inches wide, the Red Spike Ice Plant forms a dense mat of fleshy, cylindrical green leaves, offering a rich, textural background that contrasts beautifully with its vibrant blooms. In late winter and early spring, this hardy succulent explodes with bright red, daisy-like flowers that open during the day and close at night, adding visual interest and seasonal color to any space. These vivid red flowers also attract important pollinators, including bees and butterflies, bringing added life and vibrancy to your outdoor space while supporting local ecosystems.

Drought Tolerance and Water-Wise Benefits for Arizona Landscapes

The Red Spike Ice Plant is one of the most drought-resistant groundcovers available, thriving in full sun and requiring minimal water once established. With water conservation increasingly important in the Phoenix Valley, this succulent is an ideal choice for eco-conscious gardeners who want to create a lush, visually engaging landscape without excessive irrigation. Planting the Red Spike Ice Plant can significantly reduce your garden's water needs, helping you save on water costs while supporting sustainable gardening practices.

Additionally, the Red Spike Ice Plant is salt-tolerant, making it well-suited for landscapes exposed to saline conditions, such as near swimming pools, paved pathways, or driveway borders. Its resilience to harsh conditions makes it a flexible choice for various settings, from private residential gardens to commercial landscapes that aim for durability and easy maintenance.

Ideal Applications in Phoenix Valley Landscaping

• Groundcover for Xeriscaping and Rock Gardens: The Red Spike Ice Plant’s low, spreading growth makes it perfect as a groundcover for rocky areas, sunny borders, and xeriscape designs. Its vibrant foliage and flowers contrast beautifully with stone elements, adding layers of color and texture to rock gardens.

• Accent in Succulent and Cacti Gardens: When paired with other succulents and cacti, the Red Spike Ice Plant adds a lush, green foundation that brings out the unique shapes and colors of companion plants. Consider mixing it with aloes, agaves, or barrel cacti for a diverse, water-efficient garden.

• Edging and Borders for Pathways: Use the Red Spike Ice Plant along walkways or garden borders to create a soft, vibrant edge that visually frames your landscape while providing excellent ground coverage to minimize soil erosion and weed growth.

• Colorful Addition to Arid Landscapes: Its intense red blooms bring a splash of color that lasts through the cooler months, when other plants may be dormant, ensuring that your garden maintains a lively appearance year-round.

Planting and Care Tips for Optimal Growth in Arizona

To achieve the best results with the Red Spike Ice Plant in the Phoenix Valley, choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. While this succulent is highly resilient, proper soil drainage is essential to prevent root rot and ensure long-term health. Adding a layer of mulch or gravel around the base can enhance drainage, maintain soil moisture, and reduce heat stress during Arizona’s hot summer months.

Once established, this plant needs very little water, typically only supplemental irrigation during extremely dry periods. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root issues. Regularly check the base of the plant to ensure the soil dries out between watering sessions. In late spring or early summer, you may also trim back any excess growth to maintain a tidy, compact form.

A Water-Wise Choice for Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Landscapes in Phoenix

For Arizona gardeners seeking an attractive, low-maintenance groundcover that supports sustainable, water-saving practices, the Red Spike Ice Plant is an exceptional choice. Its bright blooms, drought tolerance, and hardiness make it a standout in any landscape, bringing both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits to homes and businesses throughout the Phoenix Valley. Whether you're building a new garden or refreshing an existing one, this resilient plant adds long-lasting beauty with minimal care, making it a perfect addition to any arid or semi-arid landscape.

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

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal growth and vibrant blooms)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 12-18 inches apart for ground cover or border plantings
• 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: Red Spike Ice Plant is a spreading ground cover that requires no staking and grows compactly with vibrant red flowers

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: Red Spike 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