How to Grow Fire Spinner Ice Plant
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Fire Spinner Ice Plant
Delosperma 'Fire Spinner'
flowerFire Spinner is a vibrant trailing succulent with bi-colored daisy-like flowers featuring golden-yellow petals with deep magenta-red centers. This cultivar of Delosperma is prized for its long blooming season, drought tolerance, and ability to cascade over rock gardens, containers, and embankments. It's a low-maintenance ground cover that attracts pollinators while requiring minimal water and fertilizer.
When should you plant Fire Spinner Ice Plant in your zone?
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Example Fire Spinner Ice Plant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Fire Spinner Ice Plant
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Fire Spinner Ice Plant blooms
Around Apr 25≈ 8 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Fire Spinner Ice Plant dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; most reliable in zones 6-9
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Establishment
2-3 weeksYoung rooted cuttings or small transplants with minimal foliage; plants are establishing root systems
Water lightly at planting; maintain slightly moist soil for 2-3 weeks until roots establish, then reduce watering frequency
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksPlant develops trailing stems with thick succulent leaves; compact, dense growth habit forms
Allow to dry between waterings; avoid fertilizing or use diluted low-nitrogen fertilizer once monthly if desired; pinch back stems to encourage bushiness
Early Flowering
4-6 weeksFirst flower buds appear at stem tips; bi-colored blooms with yellow and magenta open
Continue dry-condition management; avoid overhead watering which can rot flowers; deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming
Peak Bloom
6-12 weeks (spring through summer)Abundant flowers cover the foliage; vibrant bi-colored blossoms create showy display lasting weeks
Maintain dry conditions; no fertilizer needed; flowers close at night and on cloudy days, which is normal
Decline & Dormancy
Fall and winter (variable by zone)Flowering slows in late summer heat or fall; foliage may develop reddish tones in cool weather; plant enters dormancy in winter
Reduce watering significantly; in zones 5-6, provide winter mulch or container protection; hardy in-ground plants need no winter care in zone 6+; avoid fertilizing
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to remove; use insecticidal soap if severe; improve air circulation
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Remove by hand or with alcohol-dipped cotton swab; apply neem oil or horticultural oil
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Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil in dormant season; use insecticidal soap
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Prevent through excellent drainage and dry conditions; remove affected foliage; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide if needed
Uses
Rock Gardens & Xeriscaping
CraftFire Spinner is ideal for rock gardens, alpine troughs, and water-wise landscape designs due to its extreme drought tolerance and minimal maintenance needs. Its trailing habit and vibrant flowers make it perfect for creating colorful, low-water display gardens. [source]
Container & Hanging Basket Specimens
HouseholdThe cascading growth habit makes Fire Spinner excellent for containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, and raised beds where it can spill over edges. Its long blooming season provides months of color with minimal watering requirements. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe daisy-like flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season, supporting local insect populations and benefiting gardens' overall ecosystem health. [source]
Edible Flowers
CulinaryLike other Delosperma species, Fire Spinner flowers are edible with a slightly tangy flavor and can be used as garnishes in salads, desserts, or beverages for visual appeal. [source]
Traditional South African Medicine
MedicinalDelosperma species have been used in traditional South African herbalism for their cooling properties and are sometimes used in herbal preparations, though Fire Spinner is primarily grown as an ornamental. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Fire Spinner is an ornamental flower and is not typically harvested for food. Deadhead spent flowers by pinching or cutting below the bloom to encourage continuous flowering throughout the growing season. Foliage can be trimmed lightly in spring to maintain shape, and trailing stems can be cut back by one-third if plants become leggy.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'Ice Plant' comes from the crystalline water-storing bladder cells on the leaves that glisten like ice crystals in sunlight.
- 🌱 Fire Spinner blooms stay open only on sunny days and close at night, a mechanism that helps retain moisture in arid conditions.
- 🌱 Delosperma means 'visible seed' in Greek, referring to the clearly visible seeds within the fruit capsules.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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