Lampranthus plants are tolerant of short periods of frost to -7°C and can be seen growing in the open all year round in the warmer parts of the UK such as the South West and the Isle of Wight. They make good pot subjects for colder gardens, to be brought under cover in deepest winter. The best known is Lampranthus multiradiatus, sometimes called the Ice Plant. It has flowers in shades of pink to purple and forms a small shrublet. It can also be grown as an annual if sown early. A subspecies known as L. roseus can also be grown as an annual.
There are cultivated forms of Lampranthus, such as Lampranthus spectabalis "Tresco Fire” or "Tresco Brilliant” which has lovely iridescent red flowers in summer. There is a yellow/orange cultivar of this species. An unusual double flowered Lampranthus can be found called "Double Purple”.
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| source photos: kernock.co.uk, anniesannuals.com |
How to Propagate Lampranthus
Lampranthus can grow from seeds. The best time to sow seeds is during the spring.
Use a mix of peat and sand and make sure not to press down hard on the seeds. Once the seeds are sown, place the pot in a bright spot, maintaining the temperature around 68° to 72° degrees Fahrenheit.
Water lightly to keep the soil moist but not saturated.
Seeds germinate in about two weeks. Move the young seedlings to a shady spot. Once the seedlings are big enough to be handled, move them into individual pots.
Plant using a cactus soil and provide as much light as possible to the young growing plants as possible.
To create fuller pots, plant 4 – 6 seedlings in one large pot.
Lampranthus Blandus also propagated through cuttings.
Take cutting during the spring or early fall. Keep them in a cool, dry place for a few days to dry and callous over.
After a few days plant the cuttings in sandy soil or in a mixture of peat and perlite. Refrain from watering the cuttings for the first week.
Then, water sparingly. If the leaves look dried mist them lightly. Pot the cutting once the roots start to develop.
Hardiness:
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Site and Soil:
Ice plant requires full sun or the flowers will not open. Indoors, the bright, direct light of a south- or west-facing window will suffice. Outdoors, the plant needs full sun throughout the day or, in hot climates, full morning sun and partial afternoon shade. Light, well-drained soil provides the best growing medium for ice plant. Plants grown in containers require high-quality potting soil combined with an equal amount of coarse sand to provide adequate drainage. Space outdoor plants at least 12 to 18 inches apart to allow room for growth, and grow indoor plants in containers with drainage holes in the bottom.
Temperature:
Ice plant adapts to a wide range of warm climates where winter frost is not a danger. In areas where temperatures drop below 36 degrees F, grow the plant indoors in a container to prevent cold damage. Temperatures in the range of 50 to 75 degrees F produce the best results, although ice plant will tolerate slightly higher or lower temperatures for short periods.
Watering and Fertilizing:
Lampranthus requires very little supplemental watering after becoming established. A thorough soaking immediately after planting helps initiate new growth. After this initial application, water only during prolonged dry periods in summer, or whenever 2 weeks have passed without any natural rainfall. In winter, allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Indoor plants benefit from watering once every 2 weeks throughout the year. Too much water results in crown or stem rot. Ice plant requires no supplemental fertilizing, as it flowers best in tough conditions.
How to Care:
Plants grown indoors usually require repotting once per year in early spring, just before new growth begins. In most cases, ice plant grows less vigorously in winter, so it's best to repot before this break ends. Outdoor plants benefit from mulching if winter temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch to the soil surrounding ice plant and remove when temperatures rise above 50 degrees again.
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