- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 4 - 6 Inches
- Mature Spread 8 - 12 Inches
- Growing Zones 5 - 9
Groundcovers don't just have to be green foliage. Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant is a dependable groundcover that boasts evergreen succulent foliage with amazingly vibrant, pinkish-purple flowers that continue to bloom from late summer to the first frost. Many plants in the Aizoaceae family are commonly called Ice Plant, although Delosperma cooperi is the dwarf variety from which the Jewel of the Desert series has been bred.
Jewel of the Desert® is perfect for including in rock gardens, mixed container plantings, and as ground cover in hot, dry spots where little else will grow. Along with New Zealand flax, lamb’s ear, and blue fescue, Delosperma should be included in a fire-resistant landscape plan. The plants are succulent and extremely drought resistant, perfect for planting in a buffer zone around houses or other structures. Heavy foot traffic is also not a problem for Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant. This tough-wearing groundcover is perfect next to a driveway, sidewalk, or even between stepping stones in dry, sunny spots.
Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant Care
Ice plants prefer free-draining soil with little nutrients. Place the plants in full sun and water deeply but infrequently to promote a deeper root system. One inch of water once a week in the first year gets these plants off to a good start. Delosperma cooperi is native to South Africa and thrives in hot, dry climates such as the Mediterranean, where all of the year's rainfall occurs during the cooler winter months, while the summer sees little in the way of natural rainfall.
There is almost no need for maintenance with Jewel of the Desert®. The flowers are self-cleaning and do not need deadheading. The plant spreads by forming roots everywhere the leaf axils touch ground, making for a dense blanket of foliage and flowers in a short amount of time. Ice plant is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and needs little winter protection as long as soil drainage stays excellent year-round.
Jewel of the Desert® Spacing
Amethyst Ice Plant is smaller and more compact than other older varieties. The mature height is 4-6 inches with a spread of 8-12 inches. To provide dense coverage, place plants 10 inches apart center on center. Container-grown ice plants will need a pot or hanging basket with at least a 12-inch diameter for 3 plants.
Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 4 - 6 Inches |
Mature Spread: 8 - 12 Inches |
Spacing: 8 - 12 Inches |
Habit: Spreading |
Flower Color(s): Pink, Purple |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Evergreen |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Low |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Heat, Drought, Salt |
Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Edging, Groundcovers, Mass Planting |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
Brand: Plants That Work |
Common Name: Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: Delosperma Jewel of Desert® Amethyst |
- SKU:
- 1231012639-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.