Aptenia

Aptenia is a small genus of perennial ice plants, native to coastal eastern South Africa.

Only the Aptenia cordifolia and its cultivars are common in cultivation. They are popular in Arizona and California, wher they are used as fast growing ground cover. The most common color is magenta, although some clones with white flowers are occasionally encountered. The aptenia 'Red Apple' is actually an hybrid with the related species Platythyra haeckeliana.

Aptenia are resistant to drought and do fine with some shade. In California, they look better with some water in summer, but in Phoenix, they do need the extra water and afternoon shade.

They are easy to propagate by cuttings.

Species and varieties
Aptenia cordifolia (Ice Plant, Baby Sun Rose)

© 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved.