Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Lampranthus deltoides, also known as pink ice plant succulent, oscularia deltoides, or deltoid leaved dew plant, will produce gorgeous flowers in shades of pink and purple throughout the year if they receive at least six hours of sunlight each day.
These plants are commonly used in cactus gardens because they require little water and can withstand hot, dry conditions without showing signs of stress. Pink ice plant succulent requires little maintenance once it’s established; all you have to do is keep its soil moist while the temperatures are cooler and allow it to go completely dry during warmer months.
Pink ice plant is easy to grow, and it’s drought-tolerant too, so it’s suitable for those who don’t have much of a green thumb but want to enjoy the beauties of the living world around them. This plant looks best when planted in clusters, so if you’re looking to add some color to your home or office space, consider planting several pink ice plants together.
Indoor gardeners who want to liven up their spaces with something besides potted plants may want to give lampranthus a try.
Originally from South Africa, these plants can be grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12 and make a nice addition to rock gardens and mixed containers, as well as adding color to indoor spaces and full-sun outdoor patios and decks during the cooler months of the year.
For a truly unique and eye-catching houseplant, consider the pink ice plant succulent (Lampranthus deltoides).
Origin and distribution
Lampranthus deltoides is a succulent native to South Africa, where it’s typically found growing in rocky areas or within caves. Other common names for Lampranthus deltoides include pink ice plant, pink ice, ice plant, and dew plant.
In its natural habitat, it’s a perennial evergreen that grows up to 8 inches tall and can form small colonies as it spreads via rhizomes that grow just below ground level.
Lampranthus is a genus of subtropical succulent plants native to southern Africa.
Oscularia deltoides, which is also called Pink Ice Plant or Oscularia deltoides, originates from South Africa and is found in southern Africa generally between latitudes 20° and 35° S. This plant thrives in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. If you are growing it indoors, bright light will make it grow faster than low light.
Lampranthus deltoides propagation
Because oscularia deltoides is a succulent, you should be able to grow new plants by cutting off a chunk of its flesh and allowing it to dry for a day or two. Once dry, soak your pink ice plant for about two weeks in water. After two weeks, pot your newly sprouted baby in soil and give it light.
The new plant will need watering frequently to prevent wilting, but that’s all there is to starting a brand-new Pink Ice Plant! If you don’t want to go through all that work, however, simply buy a new plant from a nursery.
They can usually be found at most garden centers during springtime. Be sure to look for Lampranthus deltoides, that’s Pink Ice Plant. There are many other varieties of ice plant, so make sure you know what kind you’re buying before plunking down your cash.
Lampranthus deltoides care information
The pink ice plant requires very little care. It is tolerant of both high heat and cold and seems to be pretty hardy, able to withstand temperatures down to 22°F (-5°C).
As a succulent, it stores water in its leaves and can go for several months without a drink. Water it just enough to keep it growing actively and never let it dry out completely.
Light requirement
The pink ice plant requires a bright spot but is not fussy about sunlight. The entire succulent can tolerate full sun, but leaves may scorch. Keep in mind that too much direct sunlight can make it more susceptible to disease and reduce flowering.
In general, the pink ice plant does best with four or more hours of sunlight per day. If you live in an area where temperatures get extremely hot during the summer months, consider moving your pink ice plant outside for summertime growing and bringing it back inside when temperatures begin to cool down again.
Soil/potting mix
Use a good potting mix instead of regular soil when planting your succulents and cacti. Potting mixes are created specifically for use with these types of plants, and they typically contain more organic matter. They also tend to hold water well, which is important when dealing with cacti and succulents because they can easily dry out.
Watering
Lampranthus deltoides is a succulent plant, which means it doesn’t need to be watered very often. Water it once every two weeks during its first year and then cut back to once a month. If you want to make sure that your plant is getting enough water, use an electronic moisture meter.
Place it in several spots around your Pink Ice Plant and see if any of them indicate dehydration.
Alternatively, place your finger on top of the soil for 30 seconds. If it feels dry to the touch, give it some water. You can also stick a chopstick into the soil about 2 inches deep; if no water drips out after 15 minutes or so, it’s time for some more water.
In more temperate regions, just watering your plants regularly with room-temperature water should do the trick!
It’s also a good idea to use water that isn’t straight from the tap; cold water holds less moisture than warm water, so if you use tap water to keep your plants hydrated, they may be getting too much!
Fertilizer
If you have a Lampranthus deltoides plant, it’s best to avoid fertilizing it. These succulents will grow just fine with regular watering and don’t need extra help from synthetic fertilizers. If you do feed your plants, feed them naturally by spraying them with liquid seaweed or with compost tea.
Both of these organic options are full of micro-nutrients that can help all types of plants—succulents included.
You may also want to place an inch or two of mulch around its base during summer months; mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and helps prevent weeds from growing around its base.
Temperature
Pink ice plant succulents prefer high heat and direct sunlight. Since they’re native to South Africa, they don’t require much water or care; in fact, they are able to survive without any water at all.
It’s best to keep these plants in full sun with temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a hotter climate with above-average temperatures year-round, it’s even possible to grow these pink succulents outside year-round!
Humidity
If you’re growing Lampranthus deltoides, make sure to provide a warm and humid environment. I live in New England where winter is particularly dry, so during that time of the year, I keep a small humidifier running in my bedroom to ensure my plants aren’t too shocked by cold air when I bring them back outside come spring.
The ideal humidity range is 40-60%, so you’ll want to use a hygrometer to monitor your home’s current humidity level. If it’s too low, you can increase it by running a humidifier or putting bowls of water around your house.
Pruning
The pink ice plant, or Lampranthus deltoides, is a perennial succulent in the Crassulaceae family. The common name for it is ice plant because of its light gray-green foliage that often looks like delicate sheets of frost on stems and branches.
The plant has leaves that are divided into 3 segments with white margins, giving them a hairy ice plant appearance. This species grows best in well-drained soil and full sun. It can tolerate some shade but will not flower as profusely.
Like many succulents, the pink ice plant needs to be watered regularly to keep its roots from drying out; however, it also needs to be allowed to dry out between waterings so that it doesn’t rot.
When to repot
This plant is a succulent, and it’s generally recommended that you repot them every 2 years. A proper lampranthus deltoides repotting should involve trimming out any dead or diseased roots and stems, followed by removing any excess soil from around their root system and replacing it with a mixture of sand and cactus soil.
After repotting, water your Lampranthus deltoides to remove any air pockets that may have formed around its roots. Place it in an area where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Repotting is best done during spring or summer when temperatures are warm but not too hot for delicate plants like these.
Dormancy/Winter rest
Due to its origins in South Africa, Lampranthus deltoides is well suited for a winter dormancy period. In winter, when temperatures dip below 50°F/10°C, cut back on watering and fertilizing. This may be an opportune time to remove any dead or dying foliage and allow any overcrowded stems to grow outwards naturally.
If you are keeping your plant indoors, place it in a cool spot with minimal light exposure. The plants will begin to produce new growth as soon as temperatures rise again in the springtime.
If you have placed your plant outdoors during the summer months, expect it to die back completely by fall; however, if you live in an area where temperatures do not drop below freezing during the winter months, then leave your plant outside and allow it to rest until spring arrives again.
Lampranthus deltoides flower & fragrance
With its white flowers and refreshing, minty fragrance, Lampranthus deltoides is one of our favorite ice plant varieties. It’s an annual succulent that is frost tolerant and will attract a variety of butterflies to your garden with its vibrant pink flowers.
The leaves of the Pink Ice Plant are delicately shaped like a teardrop and grow in alternating pairs along trailing stems—meaning they look great paired with other succulents.
Growth rate
Lampranthus deltoides is a fast-growing succulent and should be considered an annual in areas where it does not get below freezing. In warmer climates, such as parts of California, it can be cultivated as a perennial and will die back during colder weather. It is relatively pest-free, but snails do occasionally eat its leaves and flowers.
Toxicity
Lampranthus deltoides is non-toxic to both humans and pets.
USDA hardiness zones
Lampranthus deltoides thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. In zone 10, it can withstand temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. In zone 11, it can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not recommended for planting in colder climates because it does not tolerate freezing well.
Pests, diseases, and problems
Lampranthus deltoides are, in general, drought-tolerant and almost indestructible. If your plant does get a disease or pest infestation, it will usually recover on its own once you give it some time and space to recuperate.
The pests that can most commonly attack these plants are spider mites, mealybugs, white flies, aphids, and ants, and when an infestation is bad enough to warrant action from you, there are simple ways to deal with them.
Conclusion
The nice thing about these particular plant and flower varieties is that they’re quite versatile when it comes to how you can use them in your landscaping; since their blossoms come in all sorts of different colors, shapes, and sizes, there are many ways to incorporate them into your space!
