Yellow Ice Plant (Delosperma nubigenum): Hardy Golden Groundcover

Overview

Yellow Ice Plant (Delosperma nubigenum) is a supremely cold-hardy, evergreen, mat-forming succulent from the high Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. Tiny, cylindrical, bright green leaves form a dense carpet 1–2 inches tall. In late spring to early summer, it smothers itself in brilliant, daisy-like, yellow flowers with white centers. The foliage often turns bronzy-red in winter. Extremely tough: survives zone 4, heat, drought, and poor soil. Perfect for rock gardens, green roofs, walls, and between pavers. A golden glow at peak bloom.

Key Features

• Foliage: Tiny, cylindrical, bright green; bronzy-red in winter.
• Flowers: Yellow, daisy-like, white centers; profuse; late spring/early summer.
• Habit: Dense, evergreen mat; 1–2 in tall.
• Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9. Very cold hardy.

Care Guidelines

Light

Full sun.

Water

Low. Drought-tolerant once established.

Soil

Well-drained, gritty. Lean soil.

Maintenance

Virtually none. Shear if needed.

Taxonomy

Family:	Aizoaceae
Genus:	Delosperma (del-oh-SPUR-muh)
Species:	nubigenum (noo-bee-GEE-num)