Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Hardy ice plant: when and how to prune
Delosperma cooperi
Hardy ice plant is best pruned in April.
| Pruning months | April |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Hardy ice plant: when to prune it?
Hardly any pruning is needed. In April, cut out dead or frosted pieces once you can see which parts are shooting again.
What else to prune in those months? April
Hardy ice plant: how to prune it?
- Cut brown, shrivelled or rotten stems back to healthy green growth.
- Trim stems that spread too far over paths or other plants; you can use the pieces as cuttings straight away.
- There is no need to deadhead: the spent flowers dry up by themselves.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Hardy ice plant flowers in June–September, when it attracts bees.
- If you only cut back in April, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Do not prune in autumn: wounds in the fleshy stems rot easily in a wet winter.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Hardy ice plant · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.