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 robustum

As its name suggests, Delosperma robustum is a more robust, vigorous member of the genus, forming larger, bushier clumps than the finely mat-forming species. It is native to rocky and stony habitats where it can develop into woody-based subshrubs with a good spread.

The leaves are thicker and more substantial, giving the plant a strong presence in a rock garden. Flowers are typically bright and daisy-like, in pink, red or magenta shades, held well above the foliage and producing a very showy effect when the plant is in full flush. Flowering is mainly in spring and summer.

In South African gardens, D. robustum works well as a small structural shrub in dry borders, gravel gardens and on slopes. It appreciates full sun and very good drainage, but will tolerate a little more soil depth and organic matter than the tiniest alpine species. It can be used as a focal vygie within a bed or as a repeated component in larger waterwise plantings.