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’

Delosperma ‘Rock Crystal Orange’ is a bold, sun loving Ice Plant that brings true orange intensity to dry landscapes. The flowers are vivid and energetic, leaning into a clear, saturated orange that does not wash out in bright light. Each bloom has that signature crystalline shimmer Delosperma is known for, and in direct sun it almost glitters against the foliage. Flowers open wide during the day, tracking the sunlight, then close neatly in the evening, repeating this steady performance from late Spring through Summer and into early Fall. It provides a strong, warm color note that instantly brightens gravel beds, stonework, and other sun baked spaces.

The foliage forms a tight, ground hugging carpet of plump, succulent leaves that knit together quickly once established, creating a clean and uniform surface. In milder Winters, it remains evergreen, offering structure and texture when much of the garden has gone quiet. Even outside of bloom, the plant looks purposeful and finished rather than sparse or weedy. ‘Rock Crystal Orange’ truly earns its place in difficult, high exposure sites, thriving in sharply drained sandy, rocky, or lean native soils where many traditional perennials struggle. Once established, it requires very little supplemental water and handles reflected heat from stone and pavement with ease, making it ideal for slopes, drive edges, retaining walls, and hot foundation plantings where toughness matters most.

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.