Botanical Name: Delosperma cooperi ‘Jewel of the Desert Garnet’

Common Name: Ice Plant

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 5–10)

Size: 4–6" Tall × 12–18" Spread

Growth Habit: Low-Growing, Spreading, Mat-Forming

Sunlight: Thrives in Full Sun

Soil: Prefers Very Well-Drained Soil; Performs Best in Sandy or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Very Low Once Established; Excellent Drought Tolerance

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Fall

Fertilizer: Minimal Feeding; Excess Fertility Reduces Flowering

Features: Deep Garnet-Red Blooms, High Flower Density, Evergreen Succulent Foliage, Extreme Heat & Drought Tolerance, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Rock Gardens, Slopes, Borders, Edging, Gravel Beds, Containers, and Dry Landscapes

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

Series Note: Part of the Jewel of the Desert Series, known for superior cold hardiness, intense flower color, and heavy, season-long blooming.

See our complete Delosperma Growth & Care Guide for full care details.

More About Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Garnet’ (Ice Plant)

Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Garnet’ is one of the most striking red ice plants available, prized for its deep, jewel-toned flowers and exceptional garden durability. The blooms are richly saturated, reading more garnet than pink or scarlet, and hold their color well even under intense summer heat. Flowers open fully in daylight and close at night, repeating this cycle continuously through the growing season.

The plant forms a dense, ground-hugging mat of fleshy, succulent foliage that provides year-round structure in mild climates. This tight growth habit helps suppress weeds and keeps plantings looking intentional rather than sprawling. Even when not in bloom, the foliage remains clean and attractive, making it a strong textural element in dry landscapes.

Where ‘Jewel of the Desert Garnet’ truly excels is in cold tolerance and flower consistency. Bred specifically to outperform older Delosperma selections, it survives colder winters and rebounds more reliably in spring. This makes it a standout choice for gardeners in colder parts of the ice plant growing range who want dependable performance year after year.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

At Garden Delivery, ‘Jewel of the Desert Garnet’ has stood out for its combination of intense color and structural reliability. In our Upstate South Carolina trials, it has handled heat, humidity, and drought while maintaining a dense growth habit and steady bloom cycle. Unlike some red ice plants that fade, thin, or stall midseason, this variety continues producing strong color well into late summer.

We’re especially impressed by its cold-weather resilience. After winter dormancy, plants rebound evenly and fill back in quickly, without the patchiness common in less refined selections. The garnet-red flowers provide excellent contrast against stone, gravel, and silver or blue-toned foliage, making this variety a favorite for both modern and naturalistic designs.

Jewel of the Desert Garnet vs. Other Delosperma

Jewel of the Desert Garnet stands apart for its deep, rich red coloring and improved cold tolerance. When compared to Jewel of the Desert Opal, Garnet is bolder and more striking, while Opal offers a softer, more understated effect. Garnet also tends to handle colder winters better than the Rock Crystal selections, returning more reliably in Spring. Compared to Rock Crystal Orange, Garnet is darker and more dramatic, trading brightness for intensity. Against Rock Crystal Yellow, Garnet provides far more contrast and visual weight, making it better suited as a focal point.I like Garnet when I want a strong anchor color that holds its depth through heat and into late season.