Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ is a beautiful flowering succulent native to South Africa. The plant produces large, bright yellow flowers in the summer months (sometimes in spring) and can survive in full sun and partial shade.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget,’ how to grow it, what it needs, and some tips on caring for this lovely little plant.
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About Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’
Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ has become popular because of its gorgeous flowers and the ability to tolerate neglect, making it an excellent option for enthusiasts who are busy or have limited time to care for their plants.
The plant itself is fairly small—it only reaches about 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide—but it will flower prolifically if given enough water and sun.
The leaves of this succulent are blue-green in color with a pointed tip, which gives them an almost star-like appearance when viewed from above. They stay small, only reaching about half an inch in height. The leaves are green but turn red in the winter months, adding further interest to the garden.
Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ Care
Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ is a rare variety that cannot be found in most garden stores or nurseries due to its slow growth rate and high demand from collectors. Because of this rarity, it is becoming more difficult for collectors to find them for sale online.
If you are lucky enough to see these plants for sale at a nursery, they can be expensive because they are so difficult to grow—but they’re worth every penny! They look great planted in groups or even individually on your windowsill or patio deck.
Light
This plant needs full sunlight to grow properly. However, in an area with not have enough hours of sunlight in the summer months, you can use artificial lights instead. The amount of artificial light required will depend on how much natural light is available.
Soil
This plant does best in well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. The ideal pH for this plant is between 6.0 and 7.5, but it can tolerate a range between 5.5 and 8.0.
Water
Water Delosperma sparingly and only when the soil is dry to the touch. Overwatering can cause root rot disease or cause the plant to get leggy with long stems and few leaves at the top of the plant. You’ll know if your plant needs more water if its leaves start curling up at the edges or if they turn brown and wither away completely.
Temperature
It is important to keep the temperature around this plant between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature goes below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant will likely not thrive, and its growth will slow down.
Humidity
The humidity should be around 50%, especially during winter.
Fertilizer
In order to keep your plants healthy, you should fertilize them every two weeks during their growing season (spring to fall) with a balanced fertilizer such as 20-10-20 or 10-20-10.
Pruning
The Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ requires very little pruning. If you want your plant to grow and flower, you should prune it twice a year. The first time should be in spring, and the second time should be in late fall or early winter.
You can cut off dead branches or pin them off, so they don’t grow back. You also need to keep an eye out for any diseases or pests affecting your plant and remove them immediately before they damage your plant’s health.
Potting and Repotting Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’
If you notice that your plant has grown too large for its container, it’s time to repot it. However, if you’re not sure whether or not your plant needs repotting, there are other signs that can help you decide:
- The plant is growing slowly.
- The leaves on your plant are yellowing.
- The soil on top of the roots is dry and hard.
- The pot has become cracked or damaged from overwatering or poor drainage.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Take the ice plant out of its current pot.
- Add some potting soil to the bottom of your new pot and add water until it’s moist but not dripping wet.
- Plant your Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ into the potting soil, making sure that the base of the plant is in contact with the soil and that there is no space between roots and soil.
- Water again after planting to ensure that it’s well-watered.
Propagating Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ (Step-by-Step)
- Select a healthy, vigorously growing plant and make a clean cut just below the node. Be sure to leave at least two nodes on each cutting.
- Allow cuttings to dry for 24 hours before planting them in a good quality potting mix or seed starting mix in an open container or bag.
- Water the pot slightly and place them in a warm, sunny location to root. Allow them to dry slightly between watering; do not let the soil become saturated or waterlogged.
- Once roots begin to grow, transplant them into larger pots. Grow plants in full sun or partial shade.
Blooms
Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ flowers are bright yellow and daisy-like. The flowering season lasts from spring to fall.
This plant has earned the Award of Garden Merit because of the beauty of its flowers.
Toxicity
Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ is not toxic to humans or animals.
NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.
Common Pests
Aphids
These tiny insects tend to congregate in groups on the undersides of leaves and damage the plant tissue. They leave behind a sticky residue that can interfere with photosynthesis and quickly cause the plant to lose vigor. To treat this pest, use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small insects that live on plants and suck out their juices. They are usually clustered on stems or leaves, where they appear white or yellow as they feed on sap. You can treat these pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil as well.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are minuscule arachnids that feed on plant tissue by piercing it with mouthparts and sucking out the juices. This causes damage to leaves; you may see webbing between them as well as brown spots.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
