Botanical Name: Delosperma cooperi ‘Rock Crystal Orange’

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; Excels in Sandy or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Very Low Once Established; Highly Drought Tolerant

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Fall

Fertilizer: Minimal Feeding; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Vivid Orange Blooms, Crystalline Flower Texture, 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: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

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

More About Delosperma ‘Rock Crystal Orange’ (Ice Plant)

Delosperma ‘Rock Crystal Orange’ is a modern ice plant selection valued for its intense orange flowers and exceptional toughness in hot, dry conditions. The blooms are daisy-like with a subtle crystalline sheen that becomes especially noticeable in direct sunlight, giving the plant a lively, almost sparkling appearance. Flowers open during the day and close in the evening, repeating this cycle consistently from late spring through fall.

The foliage forms a dense, ground-hugging mat of fleshy, succulent leaves that remain attractive throughout the growing season. In milder climates, the foliage stays evergreen, providing year-round texture and coverage. Even when not in flower, the plant maintains a clean, intentional look that works well in both naturalistic and designed landscapes.

One of the greatest strengths of Rock Crystal Orange is its ability to thrive where many perennials struggle. It excels in poor, rocky, or sandy soils, provided drainage is excellent, and once established, it requires very little supplemental water. This makes it an ideal choice for slopes, retaining walls, gravel gardens, and other high-stress areas with reflected heat.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

At Garden Delivery, Delosperma ‘Rock Crystal Orange’ has proven itself as an extremely reliable groundcover in full sun and low-water conditions. In our Upstate South Carolina trials, it has handled extended summer heat, humidity, and periods of drought without thinning or losing vigor. Where some ice plants decline in wet spells or struggle to recover after winter, this selection has shown strong resilience and consistent regrowth.

We also appreciate its controlled growth habit. It spreads efficiently to fill space but stays low and tidy, avoiding the overly aggressive or uneven look that some older ice plant selections develop over time. The flower color remains bright and saturated deep into the season, offering dependable color when many drought-tolerant plants have already faded.

Rock Crystal Orange vs. Other Delosperma

Rock Crystal Orange is the boldest and most energetic Ice Plant that we carry, offering a bright pop of color that immediately draws the eye. Compared to Rock Crystal Yellow, Orange feels warmer and more dramatic, while Yellow reads softer and more classic in the landscape. Against Jewel of the Desert Garnet, Orange is brighter and lighter, whereas Garnet delivers deeper, richer red tones with a more intense presence. When compared to Jewel of the Desert Opal, Orange is far more vivid, while Opal brings a gentler, more refined look. In terms of growth habit, Rock Crystal Orange stays compact and tidy, similar to Yellow, but without the added cold-hardiness emphasis of the Jewel of the Desert series. I reach for Rock Crystal Orange when I want strong contrast and long-season color in hot, sunny spaces.