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 esterhuyseniae

Named in honour of botanist Elsie Esterhuysen, Delosperma esterhuyseniae is a South African succulent associated with rocky habitats in the Cape region, where it forms small cushions or low mats among stones. It is adapted to seasonal drought, lean soils and intense light, making it an ideal candidate for waterwise, stone-based plantings.

The species bears daisy-like flowers in the warmer months, lifting the compact foliage with cheerful colour and attracting small pollinators. The precise flower shades can vary with locality, but they sit comfortably within the familiar Delosperma palette of bright, clear colours.

In cultivation across South Africa, D. esterhuyseniae should be planted in full sun in a sharply drained, mineral-rich mix. It suits dry retaining walls, rock crevices and gravel gardens, as well as shallow pans and troughs. From seed it is best handled like an alpine Delosperma: cool to mild temperatures, bright light, very free-draining sowing mix and careful watering to avoid damping-off.