Trailing ice plant (Lampranthus reptans)
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 reptans, also known as 'Creeping Brightfig', is a trailing succulent from the Aizoaceae family, native to South Africa. Its grey-green fleshy leaves form a dense mat that becomes covered with small, bright pink or purple flowers in spring and summer. It is ideal for rock gardens, ground cover in dry areas, or as a trailing plant in pots.
Native range
South Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering and compact growth. Watering should be infrequent, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot, especially in winter. Use a very well-draining, sandy or succulent-specific substrate. A common mistake is overwatering, which is the main cause of death for this plant.
How to save a dying Trailing ice plant
- Warning signs
- Soft, wrinkled, and flaccid leaves/stems; loss of turgor. Discoloration may occur.
- First aid
- Remove damaged parts. Check soil: if dry, water lightly; if wet, let it dry. Move to bright indirect light.
- What kills it
- Overwatering is its worst enemy, quickly rotting roots. Also, complete lack of light.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! It's resilient. If green stems or firm roots remain, there's hope. Propagate healthy cuttings.