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 echinatum – Hedgehog Sheepfig, Pickle Plant

Delosperma echinatum, the Pickle Plant, is a charming, small shrublet with barrel-shaped leaves about 25 mm long, covered in soft, bristly hairs and tiny water vesicles that sparkle in the light. Native to South Africa, it has a more upright, bushlet habit than the strictly mat-forming species, reaching around 15–20 cm high, and works beautifully as a textural accent in pots and rock gardens.

In spring it bears masses of small white to soft yellow, glistening daisy-like flowers that contrast beautifully with the fuzzy, pickle-like foliage. These blooms attract small pollinators and add a light, airy quality to mixed succulent plantings. The rest of the year, the quirky leaves do all the talking – they’re a real conversation starter with visitors.

For South African buyers, Pickle Plant is ideal for containers, window boxes, succulent bowls and sheltered rockeries. It needs full sun or bright light, gritty soil and modest watering, with more water in spring and autumn and less in extreme heat. It can also be grown from seed, but most gardeners use seed to raise batches for resale or mass planting, then propagate favourite individuals by cuttings for consistency.