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 pottsii

Delosperma pottsii is a well-known mat-forming species that has found its way into rock gardens around the world. In nature it occurs in rocky, well-drained sites in southern Africa, forming spreading carpets of succulent foliage that can cover quite a bit of ground over time.

The leaves are short and fleshy, often bright green, and create a dense cover that suppresses weeds. In season, plants are topped with abundant daisy-like flowers in pink, magenta or occasionally white shades, which open in sun and close at night. The flowering season is typically long, from spring into late summer if the plants are kept reasonably moist.

In South African gardens, D. pottsii is a robust, easy groundcover for sunny slopes, edges and gravel beds. It is especially useful for binding soil on embankments and around rocks. Give it full sun and sharp drainage, with regular deep watering during the main growing season, and it will quickly form thick, colourful mats that ask for very little attention.