Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain, or Flame Ice Plant, is a unique, rare perennial succulent. It’s named for the bright red flowers that adorn this mat-forming succulent in the blooming season.
In this article, you’ll learn more about this unique succulent, including how it grows and how to care for it. Let’s get started!
in this article:
About Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain
Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain is a succulent species belonging to the ice plant family, Aizoaceae.
It has a bushy growth pattern with a spreading habit. Its leaves are oblanceolate and succulent, with a waxy coating that can withstand both frost and drought.
The flowers are almost entirely bright red with a yellow center. They tend to bloom from late spring through early summer; however, some varieties will bloom year-round if conditions are right!
Winner of the Plant Select Award in 2016, this Delosperma variety will excite in any space and last for years to come.
Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain Care
This plant is easy to care for, although it can be difficult to find in the wild. It is popular with people who want something interesting but not too difficult to grow.
Light
Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain prefers bright sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. If you are growing it indoors, place it where it will receive direct sunlight during the day. The more sunlight your plant receives, the quicker it will grow, flower, and produce seeds.
Soil
This plant can grow in well-drained soils. It does not require any particular type of soil for its growth. You can use sand, loam, or clay-based soils to cultivate this plant.
Water
Water your ice plant whenever the top inch of the soil is dry. If you are growing Delosperma in a container, water until water runs out the bottom of your pot.
Temperature
The plant prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, with about 10 degrees cooler at night.
Ice plants are hardy down to USDA zone 5 and can easily survive in incredibly cold temperatures (-10 degrees) quite handily.
Humidity
The humidity requirement for the plant is between 30 and 50 percent, but it will also tolerate lower humidity levels.
Fertilizer
The fertilizer requirements for this plant are low. You can use a slow-release fertilizer or organic fertilizers like compost, manure, or composted animal manure. However, if you do not want to use any chemicals on your plants, then you can use compost or manure directly on the ground around the plants.
Pruning
Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain does not require pruning except for shaping purposes or removing dead stems as needed. If you want to control its size, you can prune back each stem by one-half when it reaches about 6 inches tall to encourage more branching from this stem. Pruning can also be done after flowering if desired, but do not cut back severely so that new branches will form at the base of the plant.
Potting and Repotting Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain
When you should repot your Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain depends on its current size and growth rate. If your plant has just been potted or repotted recently, wait until spring or summer before doing so again — this way, it will have enough time to settle down in its new pot and grow stronger roots. If your plant has been growing fast and needs a larger pot, then it’s a good idea to repot it every spring so that you don’t have to wait too long before its next growth spurt starts.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the ice plant from its pot and gently remove the root ball, being careful not to disturb it too much.
- If necessary, remove any dead or decaying roots, then check that you have removed all the old soil.
- Place the ice plant in its new pot and use your hands to firmly pack down the soil around the base of your plant.
- Water well and allow everything to drain quickly.
Propagating Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the ice plant from its current container, and wash off any dirt or debris.
- Choose a new pot that is just slightly larger than the old one.
- Fill the new container with potting soil, leaving about one inch of space near the rim.
- Place the plant in your new container, and fill any gaps with more soil to ensure that it will not tip over or fall over easily.
- Water your plant well after repotting it and place it in a bright spot where it will receive plenty of sunlight daily for the best results.
Blooms
Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain’s flowers are deep red with a white throat. The plant has an aromatic scent reminiscent of roses, and the blooms are long-lasting.
They last from spring to fall and appear easily on the foliage, covering it entirely in bloom.
Toxicity
Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain 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
They look like small, green, or black flies and can be difficult to spot. Aphids feed on plant sap, which causes leaf distortion and stunted growth.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that live inside cottony white masses called “cocoons.” These insects hide in the crevices and nooks of leaves and cause the yellowing or silvering of leaves.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are very small mites that feed on the undersides of leaves. These mites cause stippling on the leaves, which looks like small dots or specks. Spider mites thrive in hot conditions and dry soils and can cause significant damage if left untreated.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy