Lampranthus spp.

dewplants

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Lampranthus spp. is a genus of about 150 to 250 succulent subshrubs in the ice plant family, native to South Africa, with most species centered on the Western Cape. Plants form low, spreading to mounding mats 6-24 in (15-60 cm) tall and 12-36 in (30-90 cm) wide, with sprawling woody-based stems that root where they touch soil. The leaves are fleshy, cylindrical to three-sided, 0.5-3 in (1-7.5 cm) long, grey-green to blue-green, and often tipped or flushed red in strong light. From late winter through spring the genus produces many-petaled flowers 1-3 in (2.5-7.5 cm) across in magenta, pink, purple, orange, red, yellow, or white; the petals are narrow and glossy, and the flowers open in full sun and close in shade and at night. Bloom can be dense enough to hide the foliage. Lampranthus spp. stores water in its leaves and stems, tolerating drought and salt spray, but it is frost-tender and rots in wet or poorly drained soil. Stems become woody and sparse with age, and plantings are often renewed from cuttings every few years.

Native Range

Native to South Africa, concentrated in the winter-rainfall regions of the Western Cape, where species grow on coastal dunes, rocky slopes, and sandy flats of the fynbos and succulent Karoo.

Suggested Uses

Used as a flowering groundcover on banks and slopes, in rock gardens, coastal plantings, and containers, spaced 12-18 in (30-45 cm) apart. Suited to dry, low-water gardens and tumbling over walls.

How to Identify

Identified by fleshy, cylindrical to three-angled grey-green leaves and a low, sprawling, woody-based habit. Flowers are many-petaled and glossy, 1-3 in (2.5-7.5 cm) wide, opening flat in sunlight in shades of magenta, pink, orange, yellow, or white. The petals are narrow and strap-like, separating the genus from true daisies. Spent flowers form woody seed capsules that open when wet.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering peaks in late winter and spring, with scattered bloom at other times in mild climates. Individual flowers last several days, opening in sun and closing at night. A dense planting can flower for four to six weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Magenta, pink, orange, yellow, red, or white

Foliage Description

Grey-green to blue-green, often red-tinged in sun

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun in sandy, gritty, sharply drained soil; bloom thins and stems stretch in shade. Water sparingly once established, allowing the soil to dry between waterings, as the genus stores moisture in its leaves and rots in soggy ground. Most species tolerate coastal salt, heat, and reflected light. Plants are frost-tender, hardy only in USDA zones 9-11, and are grown as annuals or in containers where winters are cold. Feed lightly, since rich soil produces lax growth. Renew old, woody clumps from stem cuttings, which root quickly.

Pruning

Shear lightly after the main flush to keep growth compact and encourage rebloom. Cut back woody, bare stems in spring to force new basal shoots. Pinching young plants increases branching and flower count.

Pruning Schedule

spring

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Succulents