{"product_id":"suntropics-red-ice-plant-delosperma-cooperi-suntropics-red","title":"Suntropics Red Ice Plant - Delosperma cooperi 'Suntropics Red'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSuntropics Red Ice Plant (\u003cem\u003eDelosperma cooperi\u003c\/em\u003e 'Suntropics Red') is a low, spreading succulent groundcover that grows about 10cm tall and 40cm wide and covers itself in warm red daisy flowers with golden centres through summer. Its slender, fleshy leaves store water, so it keeps going in the dry, hot, exposed spots where lawn and most flowers give up. Unusually for a succulent, it is also cold hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour through the warm months.\u003c\/strong\u003e Small, shiny daisy flowers, warm red with a golden eye, peak in summer and keep appearing while the weather stays warm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStores its own water.\u003c\/strong\u003e The fleshy stems hold moisture, so it handles drought and heat once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold hardy as well.\u003c\/strong\u003e It takes cold weather in its stride, which is rare among succulent groundcovers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReddish winter foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The slender leaves take on a reddish tint in winter, so the carpet stays interesting between flowerings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible in the garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rockeries, pots, rooftop gardens and green walls all suit its low, trailing habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart in full sun. Each plant spreads to about 40cm, so the trailing stems knit into a low carpet over rocks, gravel and dry banks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots, rooftops and living walls.\u003c\/strong\u003e The trailing habit spills over the edge of a pot or a wall pocket, and it copes with the heat of an exposed rooftop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and dry gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e A good fit for coastal gardens, gravel gardens and outback style borders where soil is light and rain is irregular.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Suntropics Red Ice Plant in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, or sun for at least part of the day, gives the best colour and the most compact shape. It is drought tolerant and cold hardy once established, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. Where summers are wet and humid, give it the sharpest drainage you can, or grow it in a pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Light, free draining soil is essential. It does not like wet feet or moist, rich soil, so on heavy clay grow it in a raised bed or pot with coarse sand or gravel in the mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water lightly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks, then only when the soil is dry. Skip the fertiliser: rich feeding gives soft, leafy growth rather than flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Little is needed. In spring, trim any straggly or winter damaged stems back to keep the mat compact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Suntropics Red Ice Plant as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes are the economical way to cover a rockery or bank, and the plants spread outwards as the weather warms. The fleshy stems travel well, so plant out within a day or two of arrival in a sunny, well drained spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eBrowse more groundcover plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/succulents\"\u003eSucculents for sunny gardens and pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003ePlants for rockeries\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/the-world-of-succulents-a-must-have-guide-for-garden-lovers\"\u003eA complete succulent care guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 30cm apart for a carpet. Each plant spreads to about 40cm, so the stems meet and overlap as they grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill frost damage it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuntropics Red is cold hardy, and the leaves simply turn reddish in winter. Wet soil in cold weather does far more harm than frost, so drainage matters more than shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is mine not flowering well?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlmost always too little sun. Flowering and the compact shape are best in a full sun position, so move a shaded plant, and keep the soil lean and free draining.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787205771583,"sku":"DEL-COO-SUNTRO-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/suntropics-red-ice-plant-delosperma-cooperi-suntropics-red.jpg?v=1792152129","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/suntropics-red-ice-plant-delosperma-cooperi-suntropics-red","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}