My Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is probably the plant that’s given me the least trouble, from maintenance to propagation. A wonderful discovery, 5/5, I’d recommend it to all my friends! Even though it’s a hassle to pronounce.
Origin of the Baby Sun Rose
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is native to South Africa. It belongs to the Mesembryanthemum genus, which comprises 108 species in the Aizoaceae family. Another plant in this family that is occasionally grown is Lithops, the plant that pretends to be a stone.
Mesembryanthemum is also known as Aptenia cordifolia, one of four species in the genus Aptenia (also in the Aizoaceae), but its name has officially been Mesembryanthemum cordifolium since 2007. Which is a pity for me, because Aptenia is much easier to write…
It’s also known as Baby Sun Rose, Heartleaved Midday Flower or Heartleaf Iceplant. Many mesembryanthemums are called iceplant, because of their shiny appearance. Its other, less common and outdated scientific names are Litocarpus cordifolius, Ludolfia cordifolius and Tetracoilanthus cordifolius.
Description
Mesembryanthemums are small groundcovers with succulent leaves and stems. Older stems eventually become covered with bark, but this is a form rarely seen, as it is not a particularly long-lived plant. When the plants, initially lazily erect, reach a height of around 10 centimetres, they begin to droop into a drooping form. Like other ground covers, mesembryanthemum seeks to root where it touches the ground, multiplying easily in this way. Stems can grow up to 90 centimetres long, but are often broken off long before that.
The leaves of the Baby Sun Rose, contrary to what its name suggests (cordifolium means “heart-shaped”, hence its vernacular name), are rather ovoid or slightly heart-shaped. Even in older species, leaves rarely exceed three centimetres. They grow opposite one another along the stem, with a rather short internode. At the end of the stem, a solitary pink, red or purple flower appears and lives there for a few days. It opens in sunlight and closes at night or on grey days.
Varieties
The natural version, with its green leaves and magenta flowers, is almost never found commercially, in favor of more attractive cultivars.
‘Red Apple’
It’s the result of hybridization between M. cordifolium and M. haeckelianum, named M. cordifolium ‘Red Apple’, which we see sold as an ornamental plant. It offers more vigorous growth, a denser habit with glossy green leaves and red flowers.
While ‘Red Apple’ is a horticultural hybrid, ‘Mescliba’ was a spontaneous mutation, originating on ‘Red Apple’. A spontaneous mutation is an offshoot or branch that displays characteristics different from the parent plant, such as leaves with a spot of color or an altered shape. For more information on mutations, please read the article When Plants Mutate.
‘Mezoo™ Trailing Red’
Not all mutations give rise to new plants, but in the case of M. × ‘Mesblica’, it was stable enough for the plant to be multiplied on a large scale. This new cultivar can be found under its commercial name, ‘Mezoo™ Trailing Red’. It retains the attractive characteristics of ‘Red Apple’ (dense habit, vigor, red flowers), which it enhances with green foliage generously variegated with white borders.
As if the confusion between Mesembryanthemum cordifolium and Aptenia cordifolia wasn’t enough, Mesembryanthemum × ‘Mesblica’ can also be found under the little name of Dorotheanthus bellidiformis ‘Mezoo™ Trailing Red’. For full information, see the article Help Me Put a Name on This Plant.
Other very similar plants with crimson, white or cream flowers exist and confuse taxonomists – are they Mesembryanthemum or close cousins, like Delosperma? Whatever the case, they can be treated according to the following advice.
Growing Tips
Light
The Baby Sun Rose likes full sun, especially indoors. It tolerates bright light, but quickly fades in average light.
Watering
As a succulent plant with thick stems, mesembryanthemums offer good tolerance for forgetful gardeners; however, during the growing season, i.e. in bright light, they will grow best with frequent watering. Leave to dry out during the less sunny months, when the plant rests and is more susceptible to rot.
Atmospheric Humidity
Mesembryanthemum comes from a desert climate. Humidity increases the risk of rotting.
Potting Soil, Potting Soil and Fertilizer
This plant thrives in poor, desert soils; it prefers poor potting soils, which dry out quickly, and does not appreciate fertilizer. Since commercial potting soils are often laced with fertilizer, it can be useful to add sand, reducing the amount of rich potting soil needed and increasing drainage as a bonus. It grows very well in cramped conditions.
Temperature
Avoid subjecting the Baby Sun Rose to frosts, which would be fatal. Below 10°C (50°F), the plant enters a resting period. It prefers cooler temperatures in winter.
Maintenance
M. cordifolium is an easy-care plant, but requires a little effort to make it look even better.
Like other groundcovers, mesembryanthemum is not necessarily the longest-lived plant. Basal leaves tend to dry out, leaving bare stems that hang sadly. Left to its own devices, it can also produce spaced stems, especially in the original species.
To give it a full appearance, simply prune and awaken the secondary buds. Baby Sun Rose branches easily. The plant can easily be cuttings during pruning.
Every year, severe pruning or complete cuttings will renew the plant.
Multiplication
Nothing could be simpler: just remove a stem bearing six or eight pairs of leaves. After removing the lowest leaves to reveal the nodes, from which the roots will emerge, you can plant directly in potting soil. Unlike many other plants, potting soil doesn’t need to be watered heavily or placed in a greenhouse: in fact, dry (but not desert) soil is preferable, and cuttings in water should be avoided. Place the pot in a sunny spot.
If all goes well, in two or three weeks’ time, when you gently pull on the stems, they should offer some resistance, a sign that the roots have begun to develop. You can then start watering sparingly and gradually treat the plant like an adult.
Problems
There are no insect or disease problems, apart from rotting in excessively humid conditions. If the plant lacks light, it will be pale and etiolated.
Toxicity
This plant is not toxic. In fact, it’s edible and could be used like spinach! But beware of pesticides from nurseries and fertilizers from commercial potting soils. Besides, hybrids weren’t designed for their taste, so it’s probably best to avoid them.
Conclusion
So yes, the name is long and I enjoyed the abbreviation M. cordifolium whenever I could while writing this article, but apart from that, it’s still an excellent plant that doesn’t cause any problems, perfect for peace of mind!
Delighted to see this! We ran into the “Mezoo” variety a couple of years ago and have been growing it in patio boxes, then overwintering a few small cuttings to replant for the following summer. It’s a terrific plant!
‘Mezoo’ works great as an edging for succulent containers. I have some around the edge of a variegated Agave americana. It’s a stunning combo. It overwinters most years in my garage with an average temperature of 5C as long as it’s kept dry and not too humid.
Very happy to receive such detailed info on this interesting plant. Hoping to get mine to flower again this coming summer. Thank you.
I absolutely adore this plant! Easy, peasy and always looks good. It was a nameless variety in a summer arrangement I had purchased, then potted up individually to overwinter so thank you SO MUCH for the excellent information. Definitely recommend as well.