Jewel of the Desert Peridot Ice Plant

Jewel of the Desert Peridot Ice Plant (Delosperma 'Jewel of the Desert Peridot')

Jewel of the Desert Peridot Ice Plant carpets the ground with daisy-like lemon yellow blooms with white centers from late spring through fall. Dense, low, succulent foliage forms a bright, drought-tolerant mat ideal for hot, sunny sites and rockery edges.

Distinctive Features

Extra-long bloom window with glossy, two-tone flowers held above tight, evergreen mats. Heat and drought resilience, plus excellent drainage tolerance, make it reliable where many perennials struggle.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for best flowering and tight habit.
• Soil: Very well drained, gritty or sandy soil; avoid winter-wet sites.
• Water: Low once established; water sparingly and allow soil to dry between cycles.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
• Mature Size: 0.25 to 0.5 ft tall and 1 to 1.5 ft wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Vivid lemon yellow flowers create high-impact color in sunny, dry spots.
• Groundcover: Spreads into a low, blooming carpet between stones and along paths.
• Rock Gardens: Thrives in gravelly soils and heat-reflective sites.
• Edging: Neat, low habit defines bed lines without flopping.
• Containers: Performs in shallow troughs and pots with sharp drainage.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water lightly during establishment, then only during extended drought.
• Pruning: Shear lightly after peak flushes to refresh and maintain density.
• Fertilizing: Feed sparingly in spring; excess nutrients reduce flowering and compactness.
• Mulching: Use mineral mulch or gravel; avoid organic mulches that hold moisture at crowns.
• Notes: Ensure rapid winter drainage to prevent crown rot and maintain evergreen foliage.

Why Choose Jewel of the Desert Peridot Ice Plant?

• Season-Long Color: Extended bloom with clear lemon yellow petals and white centers.
• Drought Tough: Excellent performance with minimal water once established.
• Low Profile: Stays compact and tidy along paths and hardscape.
• Heat and Sun Ready: Flourishes where many perennials fade.
• Easy Care: Minimal inputs when sited with sharp drainage.

Plant in the sunniest, best-drained spot you have, and use gravel topdressing to keep crowns dry and flowering at their best.