Malephora spp.

Fingerfigs

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Malephora spp. is a genus of about 15 species of low, succulent perennials in the ice-plant family, Aizoaceae, native to South Africa and Namibia. The plants form trailing or spreading mats 6-12 in (15-30 cm) high of fleshy, three-sided, blue-grey to grey-green leaves on sprawling stems that root as they go. Daisy-like flowers, 1-1.5 in (2.5-4 cm) across, open in sun in shades of yellow, orange, copper, red, and pink, often with a satiny sheen, and close in dull weather and at night. M. crocea, the coppery or red ice plant, is grown as a drought-tolerant groundcover for slopes, banks, and roadside plantings in dry, mild climates. The genus stores water in its leaves and withstands heat, drought, poor soil, and salt spray, but it rots in wet or poorly drained ground and is damaged by hard frost. The mats spread steadily and can be lifted and replanted from rooted pieces. Flowering is heaviest in spring and summer with scattered bloom at other times.

Native Range

Native to the winter- and summer-rainfall drylands of South Africa and Namibia, where the plants grow on sandy and stony ground. M. crocea comes from South Africa and is now widely planted in California, the Mediterranean, and other dry, mild regions.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a drought-tolerant groundcover for slopes, banks, parking strips, rock gardens, and coastal plantings, and in containers and hanging baskets, spaced 18-24 in (45-60 cm) apart. The low, fleshy mats are also used in fire-wise landscaping around buildings in dry climates.

How to Identify

Look for low, trailing succulent stems carrying pairs of fleshy, three-angled, blue-grey to grey-green leaves, forming a spreading mat. The flowers are daisy-like, 1-1.5 in (2.5-4 cm) across, with many narrow petals in yellow, orange, copper, red, or pink, opening in sun and closing when dull. The combination of three-sided grey leaves and many-petaled satiny flowers places it among the ice plants.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Malephora spp. flowers most heavily in spring and summer and produces scattered blooms through much of the year in frost-free climates. The daisy-like flowers open in bright sun in the middle of the day and close in the evening and in cloudy weather. Each plant carries flowers a few at a time over a long period.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, orange, copper, to red

Foliage Description

blue-grey to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 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 - 7.8(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

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

Across the genus, Malephora spp. grows in full sun in sandy, sharply drained soil, tolerating poor fertility, salt, and a pH from about 6.0 to 7.8. Plants store water in their leaves and withstand heat and drought once established, needing only occasional deep watering in long dry spells. They rot in wet, heavy, or shaded sites and are frost-tender, suited to USDA zones 9-11. The mats spread by rooting stems and are easily increased from cuttings or divisions. Growth slows in winter, and an annual trim keeps plantings dense. Over-rich soil and frequent watering cause soft, open growth.

Pruning

Plants tolerate shearing, and an annual trim after the main flush keeps mats dense and removes old, woody, or bare stems. Overgrown patches are cut back hard and regrow from the base. Rooted stem pieces are lifted and replanted to fill gaps or start new mats.