If you love vygies and waterwise gardening, Delosperma is one of those genera that quickly becomes addictive. These are mostly low, mat-forming succulents in the Aizoaceae, famous for their shimmering “ice” cells on the leaves and stems that catch the light like tiny crystals – a clever way of reflecting harsh African sun while storing precious moisture.

The genus is centred in southern Africa, with the bulk of species in South Africa and Lesotho, but stretching north into eastern Africa as far as Ethiopia and even into the Arabian Peninsula. Many are local endemics tied to specific rock types or mountain systems – from arid Karoo flats and grassland dolerite outcrops to subalpine Drakensberg cliffs. Seed capsules are typically hygrochastic: they open when wet, using little “valves” and wings to present or flick out the seed in rain – exactly the kind of detail that makes them fascinating subjects for a seed-focused collector.

In the garden, Delosperma species are valued for their carpets of daisy-like flowers in intense shades of magenta, pink, purple, yellow and orange, often over a very long season. Given full sun and sharply drained, sandy or gravelly soils, many species are remarkably drought tolerant and need little more than occasional watering once established. They are ideal for rockeries, retaining walls, containers, green roofs and banks where a tough, colourful, pollinator-friendly groundcover is needed.

For a succulent enthusiast in South Africa, Delosperma offers a huge palette of local biodiversity – from tiny, niche endemics to showy garden workhorses – all fitting neatly into the broader push toward waterwise, climate-resilient gardening.

Delosperma cloeteae – Cloete’s Ice Plant

Cloete’s Ice Plant, Delosperma cloeteae, is a low-growing mat-forming succulent native to the Eastern Cape, known from the Fort Beaufort area and surrounding rocky slopes. It forms dense carpets of small, fleshy grey-green leaves that cling tightly to shallow, stony soils. When in flower, the mats are sprinkled with dainty pink, daisy-like blooms that shimmer in bright sun and close neatly in cold or cloudy conditions.

In gardens, D. cloeteae is a perfect candidate for covering sunny banks, spilling over low walls or filling gaps between paving stones. Its fine texture and subtle foliage colour make it an ideal foil for bolder succulents and small shrubs. The pink flowers add a soft, romantic touch to otherwise harsh rockwork, and the tough foliage remains attractive through periods of drought.

For South African buyers who love Eastern Cape flora, Cloete’s Ice Plant offers both authenticity and practicality. It is drought tolerant, resents heavy, waterlogged soils and is happiest in full sun with good airflow. From seed, it responds well to standard mesemb technique: sow on the surface of a sandy mix, keep lightly moist until the tiny seedlings appear, and then gradually reduce water as they mature. Once planted out, you will enjoy an ever-expanding, ground-hugging mat of colour.