Malotigena frantiskae-niederlovae 'Gold Nugget'

RHS Plant Profile

ice plant 'Gold Nugget'

RHS

Synonyms

Delosperma congestum 'Gold Nugget'

Cactus Succulent

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Densely, mat-forming, evergreen succulent 30-50cm (12-20in) across with bright apple-green foliage to 3cm (1½ in) high from dry areas in South Africa, producing brilliant yellow, daisy-like flowers in summer, to 5cm (2in) high and 2.5cm (1in) across, which only open fully in bright sunshine. Foliage becomes deep red in winter.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–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): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

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: Malotigena are rare, hardy and compact succulents growing to a height of around 10cm and spread of around 25cm. They have creeping branches and succulent leaves. Flowers are golden yellow and appear in the summer.
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

If given full sun and very good drainage, the plant can prove to be surprisingly hardy, considering its provenance. Grow in troughs in a gritty, sharply-draining, peat-free, loam-based compost; also does well on a scree/crevice bed outside, or as a potplant in an unheated alpine house

Propagation

propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden

Pruning

no pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free although plants may rot in wet conditions overwinter