Cooper's Hardy Ice Plant -  Delosperma cooperi is a perfect ground cover where low maintenance and vibrant color are on your wish list. They grow magenta-purple flowers when the weather is warm and it is the original cold hardy Ice Plant  introduced in the early 1990s through the Denver Botanic Garden. It grows vigorously, creating a succulent carpet of color. It enjoys summer irrigation under dry climates to bloom and grow well. The use of gravel mulch will keep the branches and crown of the plant dry in winter.   Care Tips Light: They prefer full sun but can tolerate semi-shade. If there is not enough light, the plant will easily have excessive growth. The distance between the upper and lower leaves will be longer, making the plant more loose, and the stems will also become very fragile and delicate. Water: The soil needs to be kept slightly moist for a long time to avoid waterlogging. Water is basically cut off throughout the winter, and when it’s below 41°F(5 °C), it is time to start slowly cutting off water. When the temperature exceeds 95°F (35 °C) in the summer, the growth of the whole plant basically stops. It is worth stating that in the summer, water is not cut off for the whole season, but only a small amount of water is given. Otherwise the old leaves tend to dry out, and watering is only on the side of the pot about 2-4 times a month (given at night).  Soil: It’s mainly loose and breathable loam, so the soil for potted plants can be mixed with sandy loam and coarse sand, and the right amount of fertilizer can be added to the soil as a nutrient for growth. Potting: While this is one of the best ground cover option, it is totally fine to grow it in ceramic pots. Ceramic pots have a certain degree of permeability. Clay pots lose water too quickly, and plastic pots tend to retain water for too long and permeability is poor. Temperature: The optimal growing temperature is between 61-82°F (16-28°C). This plant needs three hours or more of direct sunlight each day so try to take it outside when the temperature increases to 50°F(10° C) or more Humidity: Cooper's Hardy Ice Plant grows well in average household humidity levels. It doesn’t like too much humidity. Shipping & Handling The 2 Inch Delosperma echinatum - Pickle Plant plants are shipped with the pot and soil The 4 Inch and larger plants are shipped bare roots without the pot and soil: We commit to shipping bare roots, which requires more time and labor, and provide excellent quality and service to our customers - see Benefits of Shipping Bare Roots You will receive a very similar plant to the one shown in the photos; shape and color may vary Ship within USA & its outlying territories only Please visit Order Processing & Shipping info page for additional details   Care Instructions Please visit our Succulent Care info page for more details. To ensure the health of succulents, it is important to plant them in porous, well-draining soil. Succulents require little watering, but don't like to sit in wet soil. To create an adequate cactus mix, simply add pumice, perlite, or grit to cactus soil to provide the proper drainage. Make sure to leave drought periods between waterings to prevent the plant from water-logging.   Weather Conditions When ordering, be mindful that living succulents can be damaged by the cold weather. If you live in an area that is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, please add a shipping warmer to your order or consider purchasing plant until the weather is more suitable. Shipping Warmer: 72+ Hours Heat Packs available for $1.7 each