There are a lot of different genera and species that are called “ice plants.” Two of the most well-known genera for their brightly colored flowers are Lampranthus and Delosperma. The plant is called an “ice plant” because it has tiny hairs on its stems and leaves that reflect light in a way that looks like ice crystals. The foliage is fleshy and succulent-like, morphing into a darker color as fall temperatures drop. Ironically, ice plants are cold-sensitive, but many types are evergreen in warm, dry regions. Ice plants can be used in rock gardens, on slopes, as ground cover, or as edging plants in desert gardens that get some shade.
Ice plant is considered invasive, especially in parts of coastal California where it is widespread. It can grow into a big, thick mat that squeezes out native plants and changes the way the soil works. The highway ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis) is the most dangerous type of ice plant in California.
How to Successfully Transplant Ice Plant for Continuous Growth
Ice plant, also known as sea fig or iceplant, is a succulent groundcover prized for its colorful flowers and ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions. Mature ice plant forms a lush carpet of vibrant green leaves topped with cheerful daisy-like blooms much of the year If your existing ice plant has overgrown its space or you want to expand your ice plant patches, transplanting them is an easy way to get more plants for free Follow these simple tips to successfully transplant ice plant for vigorous, continuous growth.
Choose Healthy Ice Plant for Transplanting
Select young, healthy ice plant stems to use for transplanting. Look for stems withfresh green growth and no signs of disease or insects. The best sections have lots of root nodules along the stems that will aid establishment. Take cuttings from the edges and outer portions of the plant,not the interior, as the younger exterior growth transplants best.
If possible, time transplanting after ice plant blooms. This minimizes shock to the plant. In warm climates, ice plant blooms spring through fall. Where winters are cold, transplant in early spring before hot weather arrives. Select a cloudy day or transplant in late afternoon to avoid midday heat and sun.
Prepare Ice Plant Cuttings
Prepare 3 to 5 inch long cuttings by pinching or cutting through each stem cleanly with sterilized garden shears. Remove any flowers, weak stems or large leaves. This encourages the cutting to focus energy on root growth rather than foliage. Dip cut ends in rooting hormone for faster root development.
Let cut ends air dry for an hour or two before planting to prevent disease issues in moist soil. Place prepared cuttings loosely in a box or tray until ready to transplant. Avoid exposing cuttings to direct sun or heat which causes wilting. Mist occasionally to keep them hydrated.
Dig Generous Planting Holes
Space ice plant plants 12 to 18 inches apart in beds and borders. Amend clay soils with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage. Ice plant thrives in lean, sandy soils.
Dig a hole twice as wide and about 6 inches deeper than the ice plant’s root ball. Wide holes encourage horizontal root growth The extra depth accommodates several inches of gravel or coarse sand for drainage.
Fill the hole with water and let it soak in. This moistens dry soil to prevent air pockets later.
Add Drainage Material and Backfill
Place 2 to 3 inches of gravel, pebbles, or coarse builder’s sand in the bottom of each hole. This creates a drainage layer beneath the roots.
Position the ice plant cutting in the center of the hole, Spread roots down along the sloped sides Make sure the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil Place the plant at the same depth it was originally growing, Burying stems invites rot,
Backfill with surrounding native soil, pressing gently around the roots to make good contact. Do not tamp or heavily compact the soil, which squeezes out air pockets. Make sure no voids remain around the roots.
Create a basin shape around each cutting to help hold water near the roots. Water thoroughly after planting.
Provide Post-Transplant Care
Care for newly transplanted ice plant cuttings just like you would new seedlings. Water daily the first week, then 2-3 times a week if temperatures are hot. Soak the entire root zone, not just the surface. Avoid frequent, light watering that only wets the top few inches of soil.
Apply a thin 1-2 inch layer of organic mulch like shredded bark around plants to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Keep mulch a few inches away from stems to prevent rot.
Fertilize transplants lightly a week after planting and again midseason if growth seems slow. Use a balanced organic fertilizer or one formulated for succulents. Excess nitrogen spurs weak, floppy growth prone to disease.
Monitor for signs of transplant shock like leaf curling or yellowing. Pinch back any damaged foliage to redirect energy into new growth. Expect some minor stress the first weeks as the plants establish roots before resuming active growth.
Protect transplants from harsh sun and wind the first few weeks. Drape shade cloth or row cover over beds if possible. Wind protection is especially important to avoid desiccation.
Propagate More Ice Plant From Cuttings
Once your transplants are established, use the same simple propagation technique to get even more ice plant. Just snip healthy stem tips in spring or fall. Root cuttings in a flat or pot filled with cactus mix, sand, or vermiculite.
Keep cuttings moist but not soggy until a web of white roots forms. Transplant rooted cuttings to the garden and water well. For quick coverage, you can also lay unrooted stems right on prepared soil in the garden bed. Cover lightly with soil and water frequently until new plants emerge.
Transplant Established Ice Plants
Mature, rooted ice plant clumps are easy to transplant too. Carefully dig up the entire plant in early spring, keeping as much of the root system intact as possible. Gently loosen any circling or tangled roots. Set into an amended hole the same depth as original with good drainage. Water well while plants reestablish. Then let the transplants spread quickly to fill in the space with a vibrant carpet of succulent foliage.
What Ice Plant Varieties Transplant Best?
While most ice plant varieties are easy to transplant, a few types are especially stress tolerant and root rapidly after being moved:
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Green ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) has low, spreading foliage. Transplants readily with little shock.
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Hardy ice plant (Delosperma nubigenum) withstands cold and heat. Quickly re-roots even in poor soil.
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Yellow ice plant (Delosperma ‘Gold Nugget’) forms a bright carpet. Relocates easily.
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Red apple ice plant (Aptenia ‘Red Apple’) quickly spreads. One of the toughest varieties.
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Trailing ice plant (Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’) flows nicely over walls and slopes. Transplants without fuss.
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Table Mountain ice plant (Delosperma ‘Table Mountain’) features dark leaves and profuse blooms. Transplant tolerant and spreads fast.
Move Ice Plants Anytime
One advantage of ice plants is you can transplant them in any season with success. Their succulent foliage and roots retain enough internal moisture to minimize transplant shock. Just take a little extra care with watering and protection when transplanting ice plants during heat, cold, or drought to prevent added stress.
For endless vibrant groundcover at minimal cost, divide overgrown ice plants or root cuttings to start new patches. Proper transplanting technique keeps this colorful succulent spreading vigorously wherever its cheerful flowers can brighten your garden.
Temperature and Humidity
All types of ice plant, including the so-called “hardy” varieties, are sensitive to cold temperatures. If you want to grow a new ice plant as a perennial, make sure you know how hardy it is. If you live in a snowy climate, winter mulching might be recommended. They grow best in dry climates.
Propagating Ice Plants
Ice plants can spread and self-seed to propagate naturally if you let them. Often, youll find stems that have spread and rooted in the soil away from the parent plant. You can simply use these like stem cuttings by carefully digging up the newly rooted plant to transplant. They also are easily propagated by division. This will not only make a new plant that is cheap, but it can also help an old plant come back to life.
Heres how to propagate by stem cuttings.
- From the tips of the growing stems, cut a 2 to 3 inch long stem.
- Soil mix for cacti or sandy soil should be put into a plastic seed pot.
- Put the stem into the pot so it stands up straight, and then put the pot somewhere sunny, inside or outside.
- Just enough water should be given to the plant every few days so the stem cutting can grow roots.
Heres how to propagate by division.
- In the spring, dig up a fully grown plant while being careful not to hurt the roots too much. To make it easier for the roots to come out, it helps to wet the soil first.
- Cut the plant in half at the roots with a sharp spade.
- Plant each half at the same depth as the original plant in a good place to grow. Gently pat down the soil, and lightly moisten it.
Easily Propagate Ice Plant (Delosperma)
FAQ
How do you replant an ice plant?
Can I divide an ice plant?
Does an ice plant have deep roots?
How to propagate ice plants?
One of the easiest and most effective ways of propagating ice plants is by taking cuttings from an existing plant and rooting them to form new plants. The process is incredibly simple and doesn’t consume much time. Once you have the cuttings in the right soil, they will form roots easily without even the aid of rooting hormone or powder.
What is an ice plant?
Ice plant is a succulent that’s native to South Africa and comes in both shrub and ground-covering varieties. The best part? It’s super easy to grow and propagate, making it a great addition to any flower garden. Let’s dive in!
When do ice plants grow?
Ice plants go through a period of dormancy in the winter months, where growth slows down and the plants conserve energy. As the weather warms up in the spring, ice plants enter their active growth phase, which makes it the perfect time to propagate them. Here is a step-by-step guide to propagating ice plants in the spring or early summer:
How do you grow ice plants?
Ice Plants will grow when planted in containers or the soil as long as their sun and soil needs are met. Seed starting: Start with a sterile potting mix and place seeds on top of the mix. Gently press down (do not cover seeds) and moisten the soil. Place the seed container in a warm location and keep the soil moist.
Can ice plants grow from cuttings?
Ice Plants will naturally propagate themselves when left alone. The plants will spread and self-seed as they mature and bear flowers. However, if you want to hurry the propagation process or create new plants for another location, propagating Ice Plants from cuttings is a simple task. Spring is the best time of year to grow Ice plants.