Ice Plant (Corpuscularia Lehmannii) | Useful Facts On Care and Propagation |

Although Corpuscularia Lehmannii is called an ice plant they certainly do not like cold weather.

Since Corpuscularia Lehmannii is known as a great indoor plant it is good to know about care and propagation about this plant. 

Corpuscularia Lehmannii

What is Corpuscularia Lehmannii?

Corpuscularia Lehmannii is commonly known as Ice plant and it belongs to  the family Aizoaceae. Family Aizoaceae is a widely spread family which consist of 135 genera.

Besides that, it has 1900 plant species. Corpuscularia Lehmannii belongs to the genus  called Corpuscularia

Moreover , Mesembranthemum sexpartitum, Delosperma algoense, Schonlandia lehmannii,  are some of other scientific names which are used to call ice plants.

How do I identify a Corpuscularia Lehmannii

The plant has thick blue-green leaves. Those leaves emerge opposite each other one pair after another. Ice plants can grow up to 20 cm (8″) tall and 30 cm (12″) in width once they are fully grown. 

When they flower,the flowers will be yellow in color similar to Daisies.

One look care guide

Botanical NameCorpuscularia Lehmannii
Common NameIce plant
Plant TypeSucculent
Mature Size8″ (20 cm) in height 12″ (30.5 cm) in width.
Sun ExposureFull sunlight to partial sunlight
Soil TypeWell draining
Soil pHpH around 6.0
Bloom Timespring or even in early summer.
Flower ColorYellow
Hardiness ZonesUSDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.
Native AreaSouth Africa
ToxicityNon toxic
Average price10 USD
Corpuscularia Lehmannii

How do you take care of Corpuscularia Lehmannii

Light Requirement 

When it comes to the light requirement of ice plants, they would prefer to have full sunlight.

Having said that, if you can’t provide full sunlight, they would grow in partial sunlight also which will be completely fine with them.

They will thrive well if they get enough sunlight. Hence if you are growing Corpuscularia Lehmannii indoors, make sure that you supply it with enough sunlight.

If you consider growing these ice plants indoors, you may select a bright sunny or growing light window for them.

Temperature and humidity

They cannot thrive well in colder temperatures and in freezing conditions despite the deceptive name that they have given.

In fact, it is essential for the Corpuscularia Lehmannii to have a temperature between 25° F (-3.9° C) and 30° F (-1.10°). 

When it comes to their preferred hardiness zones, they would love to grow in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.

If you live in an area where the temperature drops down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and  If you have planted them outdoors, ensure that you relocate them indoors to protect them from the colder temperature.  

Is it cold hardy?

Corpuscularia Lehmannii are not cold hardy succulents. They cannot withstand cold situations. If you expose the ice plants to frost, they would end up getting dead.  

Hardiness zones

When it comes to their preferred hardiness zones, they would love to grow in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.

Watering Requirement 

Corpuscularia Lehmannii succulents also do not require frequent watering just like with many other succulents. Over watering could be a major concern for the ice plant succulents.

See also  Do Succulents Spread On Their Own?| 7 Interesting Facts |

It could lead to diseases and could cause so much trouble. As such be mindful not to over water them.

When you water the ice plants, ensure that you wait until the soil gets dry between two watering sessions. Further before you water the plant , make sure  the top layer of the soil is completely dry.

Ideally, you need to check whether the first 2″ to 3″ inches of the soil is dry so that you can resume watering.

In terms of watering, you need to make sure that you let the soil soak through water well. You could fill the container with water or else you could fill the sauce with water too.

That will allow the soil and the roots to absorb adequate amounts of water via the draining holes.

Corpuscularia Lehmannii

Soil Requirement Type / pH

Providing the Corpuscularia Lehmannii with a proper soil mix is also important for them to grow well to their fullest potential. You should use a well-draining soil mix for them to thrive well. 

Only then, you could get the best results of watering them appropriately too.

On the other hand, if you leave your ice plant in soggy and damp soil conditions for too long, it could also affect the plants so badly. 

Chances are that if you leave them in those unhealthy conditions, you could even end up losing your precious plant. It could happen as a result of root rot.

As such, be mindful to utilize a cacti mix or even a succulent mix which could dry out rapidly between watering sessions. It is always better to use such soil mix than the regular soil  mix due to that reason.

Unless otherwise , you could make your common potting mix more suitable for them to be grown ideally by adding some sand as well as some perlite and pumice. That will help to make the soil more porous.

Flowering and Fragrance

The blooms of the Corpuscularia Lehmannii could take place in spring or even in early summer. They will tend to blossom with tiny yellow flowers. 

One flower stalk of ice plants will comprise several flowers which could be about one inch in size. The petals would be translucent.

There will be about six to eight  fruit capsules which comprise tiny seeds.

Pot size Potting and Repotting

When you select a pot for the Corpuscularia Lehmannii to be grown, make sure that it has an adequate number of draining holes so that water could move through well.

When it comes to repotting, you should do the repotting only if it is necessary. If the plant has been in an older soil mix for too long, you could consider repotting them. 

When you repot and when you have to move the plant from the pot, chances are that the roots of the plants could get  damaged.

Further it could affect the plants health as well. As such be careful when you do this. 

Further, you should report  these ice plants in seasons like spring or in summer as that will give enough time to recover well before they head towards dormancy in the winter season.

See also  Moon Cactus Dying | Facts On 3 Major Pest Problems And 8 Diseases |

Moreover, you should repot these ice plants in a new succulent mix and  in a fresh pot as well.

When you make the soil mix, you should blend a balanced amount of potting soil, sand and perlite or pumice too.

After that, add the soil mix into the pot. In this circumstance, make sure that you provide enough space for the plant and for the roots also. That will help them to spread out and grow as they wish.

After you have reported them, you should water the soil thoroughly. It is advisable to feed them with a liquid fertilizer as well.

Monilaria Obconica 3 1

Where to Plant 

Ice plants would require a strong level of sunlight. Especially when you are growing this plant in a garden, make sure that it gets the right amount of sunlight.

Best is to provide full sunlight to partial sunlight. Further due to their requirement in the sunlight, you should consider growing them outdoors rather than indoors.

In addition to that, it is vital to provide them with the aforesaid  temperatures . If you live in a cold area, make sure that you bring it indoors to protect the plant from those conditions.

If you can provide the right amount of sunlight , an ice plant could thrive well indoors.  

Fertilizer and time of year

You should  feed the ice plants, as the fertilizer could stimulate the growth of the succulent. You could use a liquid fertilizer which is  especially designed for succulents.

It has to be a diluted fertilizer and you could fertilize them one time or even two times a month in spring and in summer.

Dormancy

Ice plant succulents go dormant during the winter season.

Other plants Pairs Well With

Ice plant succulents would make a great companion to Crassula arborescens undulatifolia “Ripple Jade”

Can it be toxic to pets?

These ice plants are usually  harmlessl to humans and animals as well.

Common problems 

Ice plants are not very attractive for pests. It could rarely get  diseases. The biggest problem with these plants would be fungus attack and the root rot.

They could take place  as repercussions  of over watering.

Special Care tips

You should ensure that you water these plants  thoroughly  especially during their growing season. Do not keep the  soil in soggy and wet conditions for too long.

Make sure the soil is dry between the two watering sessions. Be cautious in watering them in winter.

Try to provide the sunlight as much as you can. Then they will tend to grow well. They will like both full sunlight and partial sunlight.

If these plants get  partial sunlight , the leaves of the plant would be greenish whereas when they get full sunlight , the leaves would look gray-blue.  

Safeguard these plants from frost. Unless, your plant will get scars.

Monilaria Obconica 2 1

How do you propagate Corpuscularia Lehmannii?  

There are two ways in which you could propagate the ice plants. They are stem cutting and from seeds.

When you use the stem cutting method to propagate the ice plants, first get a stem cutting from the plant. Then leave the cutting to get dry for about 1 day.

See also  Cotyledon Tomentosa Leaves Falling Off | 5 Possible Reasons |

Let them become callous. Arrange the soil mix in the pot as mentioned aforesaid.

If you wish ,you could dip the cut edge of the plant in a rooting hormone. Then place those cuttings in the arranged soil mix. Water them thoroughly.

After some time, you will know how the roots have produced the new roots. You should supply more light for the young plants.

When you propagate them through seeds, you should first arrange small trays or little pots which comprise a moist succulent mix.

Then , you may place the seeds over the soil. locate these pots and trays where they can get full sunlight.

After six to eight weeks, you will see seedlings have developed.

Corpuscularia Lehmannii losing leaves and causes

Pests attacks and issues with over watering could lead the ice plants to lose their leaves. Hence, be mindful to keep your plants under observation to see whether any  pest has invaded your plant.

How do you repot a Corpuscularia Lehmannii?

When it comes to repotting, you should do the repotting only if it is necessary. If the plant has been in an older soil mix for too long, you could consider repotting them. 

When you repot and when you have to move the plant from the pot, chances are that the roots of the plants could get  damaged. Further it could affect the plants health as well.

As such be careful when you do this. 

Further, you should repot  these ice plants in seasons like spring or in summer as that will give enough time to recover well before they head towards dormancy in the winter season.

Moreover, you should repot these ice plants in a new succulent mix and  in a fresh pot as well

When you make the soil mix, you should blend a balanced amount of potting soil, sand and perlite or pumice too.

After that, add the soil mix into the pot. In this circumstance, make sure that you provide enough space for the plant and for the roots. That will help them to spread out and grow as they wish.

After you have repotted them, you should water the soil thoroughly. It is advisable to feed them with a liquid fertilizer as well.

Monilaria Obconica 1 1 1

Corpuscularia Lehmannii plant benefits

Ice plants could be a great addition for the containers. Apart from that, you may grow them as beautiful plants in your gardens, rock gardens too. Moreover they would greatly fit in for hanging baskets too.

Finally, you may use ice plants in succulent arrangements as well.

Related questions 

Is Corpuscularia Lehmannii an indoor plant

Ice plants can thrive well indoors as well as outdoors too. No matter where you grow them, you only need to make sure that it gets enough sunlight for them to grow well.

 Is Corpuscularia Lehmannii toxic

These ice plants are usually non-harmful to humans and animals as well.

Do Corpuscularia Lehmannii need direct sunlight

They would love to have full sunlight, but it doesn’t need to be direct sunlight . You should grow the ice plants in a place where it could get full sunlight.

If at all, partial sunlight would also be fine. Once they get plenty of sunlight, it will be beneficial for the  growth of the plant.

In addition, it will assist them in keeping the vivid color of the leaves too.

Credit to: Succulents and Sunshine
Read Next: Monilaria Obconica (Bunny Succulent) 13 Care Secrets | With Propagation Guide |
About author

I’m Dr. Chamika, As a hobby love talking about plants and showing you that taking care of indoor plants. My website is knowledge I’ve learned over the years and continue to learn about growing succulents. If you’re a succulent lover, then you have come to the correct place.