Trailing ice plant (Lampranthus spectabilis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Trailing ice plant on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 14 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Trailing ice plant
Lampranthus spectabilis, commonly known as Trailing Ice Plant or Livingstone Daisy, is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Aizoaceae family, native to South Africa. It is characterized by its vibrant and numerous bright-colored flowers (purple, pink, orange, white) that cover the plant in spring and early summer, contrasting with its fleshy, linear foliage. It is ideal for rockeries, borders, ground cover in dry climates, or in hanging baskets where its flowering stems can trail elegantly.
Native range
South Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering and compact growth. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings, and very sparse in winter to prevent root rot. Use a well-draining substrate, preferably sandy or specific for succulents. A common mistake is overwatering, which can be fatal for this drought-tolerant species.
How to save a dying Trailing ice plant
- Warning signs
- Soft, wrinkled or yellowing leaves; limp and weak stems. Lack of flowering.
- First aid
- Remove wet substrate, check roots (cut rotten ones). Repot in dry, well-draining soil. Place in full sun.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and lack of direct sun. Does not tolerate constant moisture at its roots.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. Needs sun, warmth, and soil that dries completely between waterings.