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Aizoaceae
Heartleaf Ice Plant
Aptenia cordifolia
Joyful spreading and sun-loving exuberance.
- Family
- Aizoaceae
- Genus
- Aptenia
- Native to
- South Africa
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Type
- succulent ground cover
- Height
- 5–15 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, sandy
- Water
- low; drought-tolerant
- Hardiness
- 9–11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The genus name Aptenia comes from Greek 'apten' meaning wingless, referring to the fruit capsules that lack wings.
- Its bright magenta flowers open only in direct sunlight and close at night and on cloudy days.
- A single plant can spread to cover several square meters in one growing season.
- The fleshy leaves glisten with tiny crystalline bladder cells that look like ice crystals, hence 'ice plant.'
- It is edible — the tangy, slightly salty leaves are eaten in salads in parts of southern Africa.
Color meanings
0
cheerfulness
1
warmth
2
spreading joy