Mesembryanthemum Species, Baby Sunrose, Dew Plant, Heartleaf Ice Plant, Heart Leaf Ice Plant

Mesembryanthemumcordifolium

Family
Aizoaceae (ay-zoh-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Mesembryanthemum (mes-em-bry-ANTH-ee-mum)
Species
cordifolium (kor-di-FOH-lee-um)
Synonym
Aptenia cordifolia
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Smooth
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Magenta (pink-purple)
Fuchsia (red-purple)
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Groundcovers
Perennials
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Chandler, Arizona

Tempe, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

China Lake Acres, California

Corona, California

Crestline, California

Davis, California

Fresno, California

Garden Grove, California

Granite Bay, California

Hesperia, California

Long Beach, California

Los Angeles, California

Menifee, California

Merced, California

Murrieta, California

Ridgecrest, California

Roseville, California

San Francisco, California

San Marcos, California

Santa Barbara, California

VALLEY VILLAGE, California

Victorville, California

Brandon, Florida

Deland, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hobe Sound, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

Miami, Florida

Neptune Beach, Florida

Palm Bay, Florida

Pompano Beach, Florida

Port Charlotte, Florida

Punta Gorda, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Winter Springs, Florida

Kurtistown, Hawaii

Lake Charles, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

Ville Platte, Louisiana

Las Vegas, Nevada

Cincinnati, Ohio

Summerville, South Carolina

Lenoir City, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Baytown, Texas

Bryan, Texas

College Station, Texas

Corpus Christi, Texas

Edgewood, Texas

El Paso, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas(2 reports)

Ingleside, Texas

Iowa Park, Texas

Kerrville, Texas

Lake Jackson, Texas

Midway, Texas

New Braunfels, Texas

Plano, Texas

Rockport, Texas

San Angelo, Texas

San Marcos, Texas

Stinnett, Texas

Clearfield, Utah

North Bend, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

20
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
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P
P
| August 2019 | positive

We planted this to cover a strip between the curb and sidewalk in our foggy San Francisco garden. No irrigation but I watered it occasion...Read More

R
R
Bryan, TX | May 2019 | positive

The easiest plant I have ever grown. Bought 3 small plants a year ago. Extremely fast grower. Trim it every two weeks. Take the cut...Read More

I
Gainesville, GA | July 2017 | positive

I got a two inch cutting of this plant while vacationing in Florida along the Gulf coast. I kept it in a wet paper towel for 10 days, sti...Read More

B
B
Tempe, AZ | August 2015 | positive

I bought this plant 2 years ago and it did fantastically in a pot on my balcony. It hung down the wall and looked beautiful. I propagated...Read More

M
M
Garden Grove, CA | June 2015 | positive

This plant does really well in Southern California, even in winter. If the pot or bedding has ample drainage, this plant can stand for we...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | February 2015 | positive

Here in Z6a, we use the variegated form in summer containers. Not very floriferous, we grow it for the foliage.

A great, d...Read More

K
Ridgecrest, CA | June 2014 | positive

positive-I live in the high desert in ca. and so far i love this plant.
im confused though,because in the description it is said...Read More

B
(Zone 11) | August 2012 | neutral

Fast-growing groundcover which will quickly take over an area if it gets regular water. Not good at sharing space with other plants. Fl...Read More

O
O
| November 2011 | positive

I was not impressed so much with this plant as a groundcover, mainly because the flowers were small, but as a hanging basket I like it ve...Read More

S
Baton Rouge, LA | June 2011 | positive

Aptenia has been planted since early spring. In about three months, it has adequately spread to cover unsightly tree roots between the si...Read More

S
Winter Springs, FL (Zone 9b) | February 2011 | positive

This is the only plant that thrives in my hanging baskets in the hot summertime. I just cut clippings off the first one and stuck them in...Read More

J
Los Angeles, CA | October 2010 | positive

This is my favorite ice plant variety. I like the thick rubbery stems and leaves compared to other ice plants.

It grows f...Read More

E
San Angelo, TX (Zone 7b) | April 2010 | positive

I have both variegated and the regular of this plant. Both are very easy to propagate. Just stick it in some soil and it does the rest. ...Read More

F
Allthingsplants, FL (Zone 8b) | July 2009 | positive

I have this in full sun in my xeri yard. It very well could be an invasive here in Fl. as Cearbhaill has stated. I find myself out there ...Read More

N
N
Nan
SW, WI (Zone 4b) | July 2009 | positive

Just wanted to note that I overwintered this (variegated form) in a 'strawberry jar/pot' on my unheated sunporch this past winter.
...Read More

P
Fort Worth, TX (Zone 8a) | July 2008 | positive

I have had this outside in a hanging pot for almost 3 yrs,and it is doing fine.Mine is a varigated type.with the deeper pink blooms.Bring...Read More

A
College Station, TX (Zone 8b) | May 2007 | positive

I have these in hanging baskets. I have the pink ones and a yellow one. They grow very fast. I overwintered them in a covered area on ...Read More

T
Ingleside, TX (Zone 9a) | November 2006 | positive

I started this plant, and still have the "parent", in a hanging basket. With our mild winters, I have never bothered to take it inside......Read More

C
Russell, KY (Zone 6b) | June 2005 | positive

This should be considered an invasive in South Florida. But if you are careful where you put it, it is a ground cover like no other. I fi...Read More

P
P
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a) | July 2004 | positive

This plant dies back in winter and grows back in spring in Zone 8a. The almost dime-sized pink blossoms have small yellow centers, and t...Read More

S
Nashville, TN | January 2004 | positive

will grow in sand, and actually prefers regular watering..shows signs of rotting when warm and wet..keep cool and dry..is drought,salt, a...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Culture: Aptenia cordifolia need full sun to light shade with night temperatures of 50 degrees and day temperatures of 65 degrees or high...Read More

T
Kearney, NE (Zone 5a) | August 2001 | neutral

HHA/GP 12" tall
A sprawling or cascading plant with succulent, bright green, heart-shaped leaves. The pretty, magenta flowers ar...Read More

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