Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Ruby'
Best low-maintenance groundcover for sun-drenched, waterwise landscapes.
The Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Ruby' is a remarkable, first-year flowering ice plant that provides continuous color from late spring into fall. This evergreen succulent forms a lush, mat-forming carpet with small, fleshy, blue-green leaves. Its daisy-like blossoms feature deep red petals, a striking white center, and golden-yellow anthers, creating a vibrant tapestry. Thriving in heat and sun, this resilient groundcover is excellent for xeriscapes and waterwise gardens. It prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil, exhibiting strong drought tolerance and resistance to deer, making it a low-maintenance addition to borders and beds.
$22.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1072
/ 2693
#1072 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-48%
Below average
SKU
28820
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, season-long color displays
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscaping
- Cold-climate gardeners desiring hardy, perennial succulent textures
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with heavy, moisture-retaining clay soil
- Minimalists wanting to protect delicate, slow-growing nearby plants
- People living in regions with frequent overcast weather
Performance breakdown
Drought Tolerance
Thrives in arid conditions with minimal supplemental watering once established.
Bloom Longevity
Provides a reliable, continuous display of color from spring through autumn.
Maintenance Requirements
A low-effort groundcover that demands very little attention from the gardener.
Pest Resistance
Strong natural defense against deer browsing in residential landscapes.
Establishment Speed
Impressive first-year flowering capability ensures immediate visual impact in the garden.
Versatility
Perfect for xeriscaping but requires specific well-draining soil to truly thrive.
Key Specs
SKU
28820
Genus
Delosperma
Variety
'Jewel of Desert Ruby'
Item Form
1-Quart
Mature Height
6 in
Mature Width
10 in
Hardiness Zones
5 - 10
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Features
- First-year flowering capability
- Evergreen foliage provides year-round interest
- Highly resilient to heat and drought conditions
- Deer resistant
- Forms a dense, mat-like groundcover
- Requires little care once established
- Ideal for xeriscape gardening
- Bloom First Year
- Easy Care Plants
- drought tolerant
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Ruby' for its exceptional reliability and stunning aesthetic design. Reviewers frequently note the plants arrive healthy and establish quickly, demonstrating impressive hardiness even in challenging, dry conditions. The vibrant, ruby red blooms are a major highlight, providing long lasting, intense color that transforms garden spaces. This plant delivers significant visual impact and dependable performance, making it a highly valued addition for gardeners seeking low maintenance beauty.
Know before you buy
Yes, the 'Jewel of Desert Ruby' is specifically bred for first-year flowering, so you can expect to see its vibrant red blossoms shortly after planting.
This variety requires full sun to perform at its best. Aim for at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure the most prolific blooming and to maintain the plant's compact, mat-forming habit.
Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in heat. However, you should provide regular water during the first few weeks after planting to help the root system settle into your soil.
Excellent drainage is the most critical requirement for this succulent. It performs best in sandy or loamy soils; if you have heavy clay, you may need to amend the soil or plant it in a raised bed to prevent root rot.
The 'Jewel of Desert Ruby' is considered deer-resistant. Its succulent foliage and texture are generally unappealing to deer, making it a reliable choice for gardens prone to browsing.
No, this is an evergreen succulent. Its blue-green, fleshy leaves will provide color and ground coverage throughout the winter months, provided you are within its hardiness zones of 5 through 10.
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$23