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Plant care

Ashton's Ice Plant (Ashton Delosperma) care

Delosperma ashtonii

Also called Ashton Delosperma, Ice Plant.

RHS H5USDA 6–10Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 5–10 cm tall

Watering rhythm

7-14days

When the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7–14 days during the growing season; minimal in winter

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Free-draining, lean gritty or sandy soil; pH 6.0–7.5

Humidity

30–60%

Temp

-10–35°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

5–10 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

Aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sun on the leaves. Full sun for at least 6 hours daily is essential. D. ashtonii performs and blooms best in open, unshaded positions. Even light partial shade noticeably reduces flowering and encourages lax growth. If your only bright window faces south, that's perfect for ashton's ice plant — same window any aroid would fry on.

Watering

Watering ashton's ice plant: when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7–14 days during the growing season; minimal in winter. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Drought-tolerant once established. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper rooting. Avoid standing water. In winter, established plants in the ground need little to no supplemental water in most climates.

Soil and pot

Ashton's Ice Plant grows best in free-draining, lean gritty or sandy soil; ph 6.0–7.5. Performs best in lean, well-drained soils that replicate its rocky South African habitat. Rich, moisture-retentive soils cause rot and reduce flowering. Raised beds or rock garden settings are ideal in heavier soils. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Ashton's Ice Plant sits happiest at around 30–60% humidity and -10–35°C (14–95°F). Tolerates moderate humidity well when drainage is excellent. Ensure good airflow to reduce fungal risk in wetter climates. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed ashton's ice plant sparingly. Apply a light application of balanced slow-release granular fertiliser (e.g. 5-10-10) once in spring in very lean soils. Most garden soils need no extra feeding. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on ashton's ice plant in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Winter rot — Waterlogged soil in cold, wet winters is the primary cause of plant loss. Ensure excellent drainage or plant in raised beds.
  • Reduced flowering — Insufficient light or over-fertile soil limits blooming. Full sun and lean soil are key.
  • Aphids on new growth — Treat with insecticidal soap or a strong water jet. Monitor in spring when growth resumes.
  • Centre dieback — Older mats can die out in the centre. Rejuvenate by dividing and replanting vigorous outer growth.
  • Slug damage — Slugs can notch and damage fleshy stems. Use iron phosphate pellets or physical barriers in damp conditions.

Companion plants

Ashton's Ice Plant pairs well with Delosperma cooperi, Delosperma nubigenum, and Sedum spurium. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Stem cuttings taken in late spring or early summer root easily in sandy, free-draining compost within 2–4 weeks. Division of clumps in spring is also effective. Seeds can be surface-sown at 18–22°C and germinate in 2–3 weeks. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Ashton's Ice Plant is mildly toxic to pets. Delosperma ashtonii is not individually listed by the ASPCA. As an Aizoaceae member with limited specific toxicity documentation, treat as mildly toxic as a precaution and keep away from pets and children. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Ashton's Ice Plant care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Delosperma ashtonii?

Delosperma ashtonii is most commonly called Ashton's Ice Plant, but it is also known as Ashton Delosperma, Ice Plant. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Ashton's Ice Plant apply identically to anything sold as Ashton Delosperma.

How much light does ashton's ice plant need?

Ashton's Ice Plant grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun for at least 6 hours daily is essential. D. ashtonii performs and blooms best in open, unshaded positions. Even light partial shade noticeably reduces flowering and encourages lax growth.

How often should I water ashton's ice plant?

Water ashton's ice plant when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7–14 days during the growing season; minimal in winter. Drought-tolerant once established. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper rooting. Avoid standing water. In winter, established plants in the ground need little to no supplemental water in most climates. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is ashton's ice plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Ashton's Ice Plant is mildly toxic to pets. Delosperma ashtonii is not individually listed by the ASPCA. As an Aizoaceae member with limited specific toxicity documentation, treat as mildly toxic as a precaution and keep away from pets and children.

What USDA hardiness zone does ashton's ice plant grow in?

Ashton's Ice Plant is rated for USDA zone 6–10 and RHS hardiness H5. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Ashton's Ice Plant deep-dive guides

Every aspect of ashton's ice plant care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Ashton's Ice Plant qualifies for 5 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Ashton's Ice Plant is also commonly called Ashton Delosperma or Ice Plant.