Purple ice plant
Delosperma cooperi
Purple ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 in tall and 12–24 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Magenta blooms cover the mat all summer. Classic hellstrip and parking-strip groundcover.
On the CSU listlow water2–4 in tall and 12–24 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Delosperma cooperi
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 2–4 in tall and 12–24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17–24 in apart
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Foot traffic
- Light foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Strong winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Bloom length
- Reblooms
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–10
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- purple, pink
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips, Hot south- or west-facing walls, Slopes & erosion control
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Purple ice plant as a groundcover
Purple ice plant forms a low mat. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes light foot traffic, fine to step across occasionally, but not a play-lawn. It holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground doesn't go bare. On a slope it helps knit the soil together and control erosion.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer; minimal after. Wet feet kill it in winter, avoid heavy clay.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Purple ice plant good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Purple ice plant is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Purple ice plant get?
- It matures to about 2–4 in tall and 12–24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Purple ice plant?
- Space Purple ice plant about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Purple ice plant hardy on the Front Range?
- Purple ice plant is hardy in USDA 5–10. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Purple ice plant need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Purple ice plant native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Purple ice plant deer-resistant?
- Purple ice plant is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Purple ice plant a good firewise plant near the house?
- Purple ice plant is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Purple ice plant?
- Purple ice plant takes light foot traffic. You can step across it occasionally, but it won't hold up as a play-lawn.
- Can Purple ice plant replace a lawn?
- Yes, Purple ice plant works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Purple ice plant spread or stay put?
- Purple ice plant is mat-forming. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Purple ice plant stay green in winter?
- Purple ice plant holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground stays protected rather than going bare.
- Is Purple ice plant good for a slope?
- Yes. Purple ice plant helps hold soil on Front Range slopes and control erosion once its roots knit in.
- How long does Purple ice plant bloom?
- Purple ice plant reblooms through the season, especially if you deadhead spent flowers on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
