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 pachyrhizum

The name pachyrhizum (“thick-rooted”) hints at one of this species’ key features: it develops a thicker, more substantial rootstock than many of its relatives, helping it survive prolonged dry periods. In nature it grows as a low, clumping succulent on rocky slopes and stony flats, where its roots reach down into cracks to find pockets of moisture.

The above-ground growth consists of fleshy stems and leaves forming compact mounds or mats. In season, plants are topped with daisy-like flowers in bright, clear colours – often pinks, white or purples – that stand just above the foliage. Flowering is mainly in spring and early summer and can be surprisingly showy for such a small plant.

For South African gardeners with hot, dry sites, D. pachyrhizum is a very tough candidate for rock gardens and shallow, stony beds. It is particularly suited to raised rockeries, dry terraces and containers where the thickened rootstock is less prone to rot. Give it full sun, very free-draining soil and a “soak and dry” watering regime, and it will reward you with years of dependable performance.