Drosanthemum hispidum
Hairy ice plant, Purple dewflower
- Height × spread
- 0.15m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a shrub with a prostrate habit. It spreads its branches wide. They are very fine, soft grey-green standing erect and then spreading, rooting as they go. The branches are covered in leaves like little fleshy needles, sometimes green or suffused with reddish tints. It flowers during summer when it produces single daisy flowers, coloured brilliant, red-purple and measuring 3cm (1in) diameter. This is a frost tender species that is generally seen indoors in Britain and Ireland where it likes very freely draining soil that is not too fertile, though benefiting from the occasional feed. It relishes sunshine. This reaches around 15cm (6in) height with spread of 1m (3ft) or more.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.15m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 5C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with cactus feed
Use specialist cactus feed and apply monthly from June until September, using the quantity advised on the container .
Summer-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed with cactus feed
Use specialist cactus feed and apply monthly from June until September, using the quantity advised on the container .
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Indoor temperature · Planting
5C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 5 Centigrade.
Compost · Planting
Cactus compost for repotting
Use standard cactus compost. Top the soil with grit or granite chips to ensure perfect drainage around plant stem. Repot when the plant is dry and delay watering for 3 days after repotting.
You can also make own compost using 3 parts John Innes no. 2, 1 part horticultural grit, and 1 part horticultural grade perlite or pumice. There are many 'recipes' available and opinions vary widely - consult specialist literature or websites.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).