Care of the suculent plant Malephora crocea or Red ice plant |
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The genus Malephora, family Aizoaceae, comprises 15 species of succulent plants native to southern Africa. Some species are: Malephora crocea, Malephora luteola, Malephora purpureo-crocea, Malephora herrei. Common names: Crocea iceplant, Ice plant, Coppery iceplant, Iceplant croceum, Finger mesemb, Finger vygie, Coppery mesemb, Red ice plant, Red ice-plant. This species is native to South Africa and Namiba. They are evergreen succulent plants with a creeping bearing that reach 30 cm (11.8") in height. The fleshy tubular leaves are grayish-green or bluish in color. They produce small, abundant and showy flowers of red, orange, yellow, pink or pink-fuchsia. They can bloom from spring to late summer. They are used in rockeries, in borders and in pots for terraces and balconies. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens; they resist wind and salinity. Malephora crocea needs very sunny exposure to achieve abundant flowering. They resist occasional freezes of -5 ºC (23 ºF). These fast-growing plants grow in any type of well-drained soil, even poor, sandy soils. They are very resistant to drought. Water occasionally if the summer is very dry and hot. If the plant suffers from drought, the leaves turn reddish. Fertilize in late winter with compost. Prune faded flowers to improve the next flowering. They are plants resistant to pests but sensitive to excess moisture. They propagate by cuttings from young stems. |
Images of the succulent plant Malephora crocea or Red ice plant |
 Malephora crocea  Malephora crocea  Malephora crocea  Malephora crocea  Malephora crocea |