Oscularia deltoides Pink Ice

Common Name:
Pink Ice Plant (also known as Deltoid‑Leaved Dewplant)

Description:
Oscularia deltoides ‘Pink Ice’ is a delightful, low‑growing succulent native to South Africa’s southwestern Cape. It forms a dense groundcover of triangular, blue‑grey leaves etched with fine reddish teeth, atop pinkish‑purple stems. In spring and summer it perks into full bloom with daisy‑like, magenta‑pink flowers that are lightly scented and open during the afternoon sun. This hardy plant thrives in sandy, well‑draining soils and full sun to light shade, preferring around six hours of sunlight daily. It is drought‑tolerant, deer-resistant, and suited to rockeries, slopes, hanging baskets, or container plantings. It grows rapidly to form trailing mats or gently arching clumps that can soften hard edges or cascade over walls and pots. In temperate climates, it may need protection during hard frosts.

Form:

• Ground Cover

• Shrub – Clumping / Mounding

• Climber (trailing form)

Mature Size:

• Height: 10–30 cm

• Width (spread): 60 cm–1 m (2–3 ft)

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

• Indoors / Well lit (when pot-grown)

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

• Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:

• Magenta‑Pink with yellow centres

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Pots

• Drought Tolerant

• Low Maintenance

• Attractive Textural Foliage (triangular leaves)

• Rockery / Container Friendly

• Pollinator Friendly (butterflies, bees)

• Evergreen in mild climates

• Perennial

• Spreading & Trailing Habit

• Deer Resistant

• Coastal Friendly

Negative Attributes:

• Can be invasive in ideal conditions—may naturalise

• Sensitive to prolonged frost below ~–2 °C—needs protection

• Requires sharp drainage—susceptible to root rot if overwatered

Toxicity:
Non-toxic to humans and pets, though sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Companion Plants:

• Other succulents (Sedum, Echeveria)

• Low-growing ornamental grasses

• Mediterranean herbs (thyme, lavender)

• Rock garden plants such as Sempervivum or Delosperma