Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Delosperma cooperi, or Cooper’s delosperma, also known as the ice plant succulent, is a perennial flowering plant from the family Aizoaceae. The plant can grow up to about 30 centimeters in height and has pink flowers with brownish-purple centers that bloom between November and January.
It grows best in Mediterranean climates but will also thrive on sandy soils as well as clayey soil if watered regularly; it prefers light shade but can handle partial sun exposure for short periods of time.
Delosperma Cooperi propagation
Cooperi is propagated from seed, divisions of the root crown, or by cuttings taken in late summer which are allowed to dry for a week before planting. Division of the plant can be done with a sharp spade and should be done at least every three years when plants become crowded. Make sure that each section contains roots and some stem if possible because the ice plant succulent will not survive without these two parts combined.
Delosperma Cooperi care
The succulent iceplant needs well-drained soil with a neutral pH and plenty of moisture during the growing season when it usually flowers.
In winter, the ice plant succulent can be planted in pots to protect them from frost but they must have good drainage holes at the bottom so that excess water will not accumulate. The pot should also be deep enough for delospermas roots to remain moist without being submerged by water which could cause the succulent iceplant death due to root rot or plant shock.
Plastic containers are recommended over clay because these do not become brittle as time passes and are thus, easier to work with if moving plants around is necessary.
Sow seeds outside after all danger of heavy frosts have passed.
This ice plant article was very informative. I learned a lot about the plant and now will be able to grow my delospermas for years to come!
Light and Temperature
The plant prefers light shade or partial sun. It can tolerate full sun but will have to be watered more often in this situation. It also needs a soil that is well-drained and has ample organic content. The plant does best with temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months.
The plant should be situated where there are ample sunlight and temperature levels that do not exceed 95°F (35°C). The ideal location includes an area not shaded by trees or buildings for long periods of time as the icicle plant succulent needs at least six hours of direct light each day to flourish properly.
Soil Requirements
The plant also prefers soil with a sandy, well-drained texture. It will not grow in heavy clay soils or wet spots. Sandy loam is the best choice for the plant because it offers good drainage and free root movement.
Humidity
Delosperma cooperi needs a low amount of humidity, preferring it to be around 30-40%, it does not do well in humid conditions.
The plant should never be misted with water as it is sensitive to too much moisture and will wilt or fall over if this happens. The soil should only ever receive enough water so that it can drink from the ground when necessary.
The ice plant succulent should never have its leaves wet for a prolonged period of time and the soil must dry out between waterings.
It alo prefers to be planted in a location with good drainage which can help prevent root rot, but the plant is not tolerant of standing water or soggy soil as it will suffocate and die if this happens.
Fertilizing
Delosperma cooperi requires a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen but prefers to not have its soil fertilized with too much phosphorus as this causes its leaves to grow more quickly than desired.
It also does best when it has less potassium and zinc added. delosperma cooperi needs fertilizer applied to its soil at least once every two months.
The ice plant succulent also does best when it has less potassium and zinc added. It needs fertilizer to be applied to its soil at least once every two months for optimal growth, but prefers not to have the same type of fertilizer used in consecutive months.
Watering
Delosperma cooperi prefers to have its soil watered more often when it is in a sunnier location, but it does not require as much water when the area has less sunlight with delosperma cooperi only needing enough water so that it can drink from the ground occasionally.
It does best when watered regularly during both winter months and summer months with at least one inch of water per week applied if not more often based on watering needs from regions to regions. delosperma cooperi requires around 14-18 hours without rainfall for best results.
It also requires a small volume of light rainfall each week but cannot tolerate any standing water on its roots for more than 24 hours at most without suffering damage. A drip irrigation system may also suffice provided there are no leaks in the pipes which would lead to overwatering.
It will grow in an area that receives as little as five inches (130 millimeters) of rainfall each year, but it prefers to be situated where there is more regular rain as long as it has ample hours of light exposure to sustain proper growth.
Prunning
Delosperma cooperi prefers to have its roots trimmed back every few months when they grow too long. The ice plant succulent should never be pruned in the winter as this can lead to a host of diseases and illnesses for the plant, including death.
Repotting
Delosperma cooperi prefers to be repotted once every two years before the roots start growing too long. It does not like being in waterlogged soil for more than three days, so it is important that a drainage hole is added when repotting and planting.
The plant also prefers to be planted close together with other plants of the same species to help the plant get enough sunlight. It prefers not be planted too close together with another plant, but it can make new plants grow quickly if they are grouped closely together as long as there is more than one type of plant per square foot and that each type has its own specific light requirements.
Pruning
Delosperma cooperi has a less flexible stem so it is important to keep the stems trimmed back which helps the plant to stay more upright and sturdy in windy conditions.
It has a less flexible stem, so it’s important to keep the stems trimmed back for optimal stability in windy areas.
The ice plant succulent prefers not to be pruned during its active growing season which is from spring through late fall. It should only be pruned in the winter when it is dormant and unlikely to develop a host of illnesses as a result, but it will still grow slowly if it is pruned in its season.
Pests and diseases
Delosperma cooperi is prone to developing fungal diseases and pests that are drawn to the plant’s moist soil, but it can easily be treated with fungicides.
FAQs on delosperma Cooperi
Is delosperma Cooperi invasive?
The delosperma Cooperi is not considered invasive in any case. It will only grow to about 30cm and prefers light shade which makes it unlikely that this plant would ever overtake a garden and prevent other plants from growing nearby. The flowers of delosperma cooperi bloom between November-January, so they are dormant during the summer months when most invasives have their growth season.
Is delosperma Cooperi evergreen?
Yes, it is an evergreen plant. It does not lose or shed its leaves during the winter season like deciduous plants do and instead stays in bloom year-round.
This plant leaves remain green over time with a little bit of yellowing but will gradually become light green towards the end of summer before turning brown again at the beginning of autumn when flowers are mostly gone. The lifespan for delosperma cooperi varies from one to two years depending on where it is planted which could be why some reports say that this species only lives for one year while others claim they can survive up to three years.
