If you’re looking for a hardy, easy-to-grow perennial that will add a dash of vibrancy to your garden, look no further than Delosperma ‘Kelaidis.’ This variety of Delosperma cooperi has beautiful pink flowers with yellow centers, and it’s incredibly rare—most gardeners have never seen it!
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Delosperma ‘Kelaidis,’ from its native habitat to its beautiful flowers, rarity, and popularity.
in this article:
About Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’
Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’ is a beautiful succulent that grows to about 3-6 inches tall and about a foot wide. It makes an excellent houseplant or patio plant, or you can plant it in the ground in your garden.
Also called Delosperma cooperi ‘Mesa Verde’, the flowers are white or pink with yellow centers, making them eye-catching against the dark green leaves. The color contrast allows this plant to be used as an ornamental specimen or in mixed containers—even if you don’t have a lot of space in your garden!
It’s popular for its beauty—its flowers are delicate and fragrant, and its leaves are unusual and striking
Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’ Care
This hardy succulent can survive extreme heat and cold. It can be grown outdoors year-round in most parts of California without protection—just keep it well watered during the hot summer months (May–September). In colder climates, it can be grown indoors year-round or outdoors during warmer months (April–October).
Light
The plant grows well in full sunlight and partial shade. It can tolerate low light levels but will not thrive in them.
Soil
It prefers well-drained soil with good drainage and plenty of organic matter added to it. Amend with perlite to increase drainage and aeration.
Water
The soil should remain moist but not overly wet at all times for this plant to thrive. Water it when the soil feels dry 1/4 inch deep or more below the surface level of your potting mix.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for ice plants is between 60 and 80 degrees F. The plant can tolerate temperatures down to -10 degrees F, but only for a short period.
Humidity
The average humidity required by these plants, regardless of where they are grown, is around 40% – 60%. But they can tolerate much drier air too. If in doubt, keep the plant on the dry side.
Fertilizer
You should use a slow-release fertilizer with this plant. You can also give it a liquid fertilizer once every two months during the growing season.
Pruning
The proper way to prune this plant is to remove dead or dying leaves. You should also prune any new growth at the base of the plant by about one-third of its length. This will encourage more branching and prevent your plant from becoming leggy.
Potting and Repotting Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’
Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’ should be repotted every two or three years in early spring when new growth begins. Use a potting mix that drains well and does not hold too much water. This will prevent root rot from occurring, which can kill the plant if left untreated over time. The best season for repotting is spring, when new growth begins growing from the ground up.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the plant from its original container by cutting the roots at the bottom of the pot with scissors.
- Fill your new container with potting soil, leaving about an inch at the top for your plant to settle into.
- Place your Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’ plant in its new container and lightly pack down around it.
- Water well and drain quickly.
Propagating Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’ (Step-by-Step)
- Select a healthy, vigorous leafy cutting
- Make a clean cut with sharp scissors or pruners just above the leaf node (the place where leaves are attached to the stem)
- Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone and stick it into a potting mix that is well-drained and has some compost added to it
- Keep the medium moist but not wet and move it into bright light but not direct sunlight.
Blooms
‘Kelaidis’ is a beautiful plant that grows in clumps and produces salmon-pink flowers. The flowers are quite large and look great when grown alongside other plants.
The blooms appear just as spring is about to end and last all the way until the first frost.
Toxicity
Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’ 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
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects that suck the juices from plants. They attack many plants, including many garden flowers and vegetables. They can be found in the crevices of leaves and the stems of plants. You may find that aphids attack your plant if it begins to wilt and the leaves turn yellow and curl.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are tiny, soft-bodied insects that live on the underside of leaves and cause plants to look dusty and dull. They can be difficult to control, but introducing ladybugs can help eliminate them.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that suck sap from plants, causing them to wilt and die. They’re hard to see with the naked eye, so you’ll need a hand lens or microscope to see them. If there are any signs of mite damage on your delosperma (brown spots on the leaves), isolate it from other plants immediately, so it doesn’t spread its infestation further!
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
