Aptenia cordifolia

RHS Plant Profile

baby sun rose

Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

dew plant, heart-leaf ice plant

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse

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A trailing succulent perennial with fleshy, triangular-ovate leaves and daisy-like, bright red-purple flowers 1.5cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Aizoaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Aptenia are trailing or prostrate succulent perennials with broadly ovate or heart-shaped leaves and small, daisy-like flowers in summer and autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Temp S Africa, E Cape Coast

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in bright, filtered light. When in growth water moderately. Feed in the spring with a low nitrogen liquid fertilizer. Keep dry in the winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 21 -25°C or by stem cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free