Trailing ice plant (Lampranthus explanatus)
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 explanatus, also known as Sandveld Brightfig, is a low-growing perennial succulent native to South Africa. It forms dense mats of fleshy foliage and produces a profusion of bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. It is ideal for rockeries, ground cover in dry gardens, or as a trailing plant in containers.
Native range
South Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal flowering and healthy development. Watering should be sparse, allowing the substrate to dry completely between waterings, and it is crucial to avoid waterlogging as it is very susceptible to root rot. Use a very well-drained substrate, preferably sandy or specifically for cacti and succulents. A common mistake is overwatering, especially in winter, which can be fatal for the plant.
How to save a dying Trailing ice plant
- Warning signs
- Wilting, soft, or yellowing leaves, rotting stems at the base.
- First aid
- Remove damaged parts. Repot in well-draining substrate. Water only if soil is dry.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor soil. It does not tolerate waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if rot isn't advanced. Propagate healthy cuttings as backup.