Ice plant (Delosperma rogersii 'Mini Wine')

Overview

The vibrant Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ is a superb choice for gardeners seeking drought-tolerant color and texture in sunny locations. As a low-growing, mat-forming succulent, this particular Ice plant blankets the ground with unique foliage and bright pink flowers throughout the summer months. Its succulent nature contributes to its excellent suitability for rock gardens and xeriscaping where water conservation is key.

Valued for its low maintenance needs and resilience to heat, Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ provides reliable ground coverage, spreading gently to suppress weeds while offering year-round interest. While native to rocky slopes in South Africa, this selection thrives across USDA hardiness zones 7 through 11, provided its essential requirement—perfect drainage—is met. Its appearance is truly noteworthy, living up to the genus name meaning “evident seed.”

For gardeners looking to utilize this excellent Ice plant, ensure it receives full, unfiltered sunlight to encourage dense growth and abundant blooming. This specimen is highly valued in modern, water-wise landscape designs where its sprawling habit effectively covers bare soil. The payoff for proper siting is a sea of cheerful color from Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ every year.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Aizoaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
  • Spread: 0.75-1 ft
• Bloom Time: June to August
• Bloom Description: Pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Dry to medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ should occur when danger of frost has passed, ideally in spring or early summer once soils begin to warm. This Ice plant demands full sun exposure; anything less will result in sparse flowering and weak, leggy growth. The culture rule for success is simple: soil drainage is paramount. Grow in average, dry to medium soils, preferring a dryish, sandy composition.

Water your established Delosperma sparingly. Once rooted, this succulent exhibits good tolerance for drought. Avoid overhead watering whenever possible, as the foliage can retain moisture unnecessarily. Good soil drainage is essential for the plant, particularly in winter where moist to wet soils can be fatal; always avoid overwatering to prevent rot.

Maintenance for this low-maintenance perennial is minimal. Unlike many ground covers, routine pruning is seldom necessary unless you need to control its spread aggressively. In colder parts of its range (Zone 7), ensure the plant is protected or heavily mulched, as it may not be reliably winter hardy without shelter. Remember its preference for dry conditions after establishment.

Landscape Uses

The architectural appeal and spreading habits of Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ make it an outstanding component for many landscape designs. Its use as a true Ground Cover is ideal for sunny banks or slopes where erosion control is needed alongside aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, it excels in rock gardens and alpine gardens, mimicking its natural preference for shallow, rocky soil.

Because it remains low-growing, this Ice plant integrates beautifully into miniature gardens or as edge-planting in borders where taller specimens might obscure it. Consider planting Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ in containers or hanging baskets, allowing its trailing stems to cascade dramatically over the edges, maximizing visibility of its vibrant pink flowers. It is also a champion plant for xeriscaping projects due to its low water needs once established.

Pair this sun-loving succulent with other drought-tolerant companions that share similar cultural needs, such as Sedums, low-growing Thymes, or ornamental grasses that thrive in lean, well-drained conditions.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Delosperma rogersii is a small, low-growing, perennial succulent native to rocky slopes in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This mat-forming plant is made up of semi-woody, trailing stems that can reach up to 5” tall and spread to fill an 8” area. The light green succulent leaves are lanceolate in shape and covered in tiny hairs. The specific epithet rogersii honors Archdeacon Frederick Arundel Rogers, a British missionary and botanist. The cultivar ‘Mini Wine’ is specifically recognized as a pink-flowering selection of Delosperma rogersii that will reach up to 6” tall and spread to fill a 2’ area.

Tolerances

• Drought
• Dry Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil

Potential Problems

This Ice plant genus generally avoids major pest or disease problems, contributing to its low maintenance appeal. However, the most significant threat to Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ is related to its cultural requirements, specifically moisture management. This plant is highly susceptible to rot under wet conditions, particularly during winter dormancy when soil temperatures are cool and drainage is poor. Prevention relies entirely on ensuring exceptional soil drainage during installation and strictly avoiding excessive irrigation after it is established.

If rot is suspected, improvement of the soil structure (incorporating more grit or sand) is necessary for future plantings of this or related succulents. Never allow water to pool around the crowns of the plants, especially as the growing season ends. By respecting its need for dry feet, you will maximize the lifespan and flowering potential of your Ice plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Ice plant suitable for?

Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 11, though it may require extra protection in Zone 7 sheltered areas.

How large does Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ grow?

This perennial typically reaches a height between 0.25 and 0.5 feet, spreading outward to occupy ground space between 0.75 and 1 foot wide.

What sun exposure does Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ need?

This Ice plant requires full sun exposure to achieve its best performance, dense matting, and abundant pink blooms.

When does Ice plant bloom?

The flowering period for this cultivar generally spans from June through August, producing small, showy pink flowers.

Conclusion

Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ stands out as a resilient, low-water ground cover perfect for adding bold texture and color to harsh, sunny environments. Its exceptional drought tolerance and minimal needs cement its status as a garden favorite among succulent lovers. If you live within USDA Zones 7-11, plan your planting project for spring to give this outstanding Ice plant the best chance to establish its roots in perfectly draining soil.

Companion Planting

When selecting companions for Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’, focus on plants that actively dislike wet feet and thrive in full, intense sunlight. Think Mediterranean or high-desert natives that share the need for lean, gritty soil structure. Good neighbors include various low-growing Sedums, particularly the stonecrops, which offer contrasting foliage colors and textures while sharing similar moisture requirements.

Another excellent pairing involves drought-tolerant ornamental grasses with fine texture, such as Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca). These grasses provide vertical contrast to the flat, spreading habit of the Ice plant without competing aggressively for nutrients. Ensure any complementary plants are also low-growing enough not to smother the Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’, keeping the succulent well-exposed to the sun.

Consider using gravel or coarse sand as top dressing near these plants; this architectural mulch not only visually enhances the rock garden setting but also helps keep the succulent crowns drier, further mitigating winter moisture issues.

Propagation Tips

One of the easiest ways to multiply your Delosperma rogersii ‘Mini Wine’ stock is through stem cuttings, a simple process ideal for this mat-forming succulent. The semi-woody, trailing stems root readily, making propagation fast and effective. Take several 3- to 4-inch stem segments, ensuring each section has a few leaves attached.

Allow the cut ends of the cuttings to dry for a day or two in a shaded area until a slight callus forms over the wound; this step is crucial to prevent the cuttings from rotting once planted. Plant the calloused ends shallowly into a sterile, gritty potting mix—a blend of standard potting soil and coarse sand or perlite works well—and keep the medium barely moist until new growth signals successful rooting.

Once rooted, these new Ice plant specimens can be transplanted into their permanent, sunny locations once outdoor conditions match the parent plant’s need for heat and low water.