Oscularia deltoides (os-kuh-LAR-ee-a del-TOY-deez) is also known as Lampranthus deltoides. Its common names include:
- Pink Ice Plant
- Deltoid Leaved Dew Plant
It is a succulent plant in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae).
The plant’s name originates from the Latin word osculum, meaning little mouth.
This refers to the mouth-like appearance of the three angled leaves with their tiny red teeth.
The specific species name, deltoides, means triangular in Latin also referring to the three-angled fleshy leaves.
This perennial plant calls the south-western Cape of South Africa home.
A low growing, groundcover plant bearing attractive lavender-pink flowers in the springtime and the summer.
Individual Lampranthus deltoides (also Lampranthus blandus plants) grow about a foot high with a spread of 2′ to 3′ feet. They do well in hot, dry, bright light settings.
Plants can tolerate temperatures down to 15° degrees Fahreinite.
These plants are interesting year-round with lovely blossoms throughout the spring and summer.
In the autumn and into early winter the plants produce attractive and interesting foliage.
Caring For Oscularia Deltoides Plants
Pink Iceplant Size & Growth
Oscularia Deltoides Iceplants are low growing between 6″ to 12″ inches tall. Individual plants spread two or three feet.
The foliage of Oscularia Deltoides is an attractive shade of blue-green. Leaves grow on short, wiry dark pink stems.
The fleshy leaves are quite interesting, triangular and edged with reddish teeth.
Flowering & Fragrance
Oscularia Deltoides flowers are lightly-fragrant yellow-centered with pretty lavender or pink flowers.
The flowers remain closed during the morning hours but open up to soak in the sun during the afternoon in the spring and summer.
Light & Temperature
Oscularia Deltoides pink ice plants appreciate full sun exposure but can tolerate light shade.
These plants are mostly hardy through USDA zones 8B and can tolerate low temperatures down to 15° degrees Fahrenheit.
Ice plant is deer resistant and can withstand some fire exposure.
Water Needs & Feeding
Adjust water needs according to its exposure to the sun.
Plants in full sun naturally require more watering.
Plants growing in partial shade can be irrigated little or not at all.
The amount of watering makes a difference in plant appearance.
Oscularia with more water have plumper, thicker leaves with a more lush appearance.
Those with less water grow sparsely, bloom less and take on more reddish hues through the stems and leaves.
Soil & Transplanting
Plant in well-draining soil.
The pink iceplant succulents is quite forgiving in regards to pH levels. They can do well from a mildly acidic level of 6.1 to a mildly alkaline level of 6.8.
Grooming & Maintenance
Because these plants ramble and spread, periodic trimming helps prevent plants from taking over smaller garden settings.
Iceplant Disease and Pests Problems
This succulent is fairly problem free as long as:
- The plants have good drainage
- Plenty of ventilation
- Plenty of sunlight (full sun to light shade)
Like all succulents, it is subject to rot, mealybug and aphid infestation if allowed to become waterlogged.
How To Propagate Deltoides Oscularia
This plant can grow by air, tip or simple layering methods. Ice plants grow easily from leaf cuttings.
To grow from seed, sow the seed directly into the soil late in the autumn.
Is Pink Ice Plant Considered Invasive?
Anecdotal information indicates that the plant grows in a naturalized fashion in the southwestern areas of California and Arizona.
This indicates that under ideal conditions this plant could become invasive, but it is not formally listed as such.
Suggested Uses For Oscularia Deltoides
The plant grows naturally in full sun on sandstone rocks in its native location in South Africa.
The Pink Ice plant succulent is best used as a ground cover or add it to an Alpine or rock garden. It also does very well as a container plant.
The drought-tolerant plant is quite suitable for use in xeriscaping, dry borders, parking strips, and other challenging settings often in full sun.