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 platysepalum

Delosperma platysepalum takes its name from its relatively broad sepals, a feature appreciated mainly by botanists but hinting at its distinctive floral structure. It is a perennial succulent from rocky, well-drained habitats in South Africa, where it forms spreading clumps or mats.

The leaves are fleshy and usually somewhat flattened, forming a dense cover over the ground. Flowers are daisy-like with bright, narrow petals and a contrasting centre, held above the foliage in spring and summer. The plants create a low but eye-catching carpet of colour that stands up well to sun and heat.

For South African buyers, D. platysepalum is a straightforward, attractive species for sunny slopes, retaining walls and rock gardens. It prefers coarse, gritty soil and infrequent but deep watering, making it well suited to waterwise and low-maintenance schemes. It can also be grown easily in containers as a trailing accent over the rim.