Succulent perennial of the Aizoaceae family, Drosanthemum hispidum is native to South Africa, mainly the Western Cape, where it colonizes rocky slopes, coastal garrigues, and well-drained sandy soils, under a dry Mediterranean climate.
It forms a dense and spreading cushion, reaching 20 to 30 cm in height with a spread that can exceed 50 cm. The woody stems at the base bear small cylindrical, fleshy leaves of a glaucous green, covered with shiny papillae that give them a slightly sparkling appearance in the sun — a characteristic that earned the genus its nickname of ice plant. In this form, the flowers are a magenta to intense violet, with numerous fine and radiating petals around a bright yellow center, and they literally cover the foliage in full bloom.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from May to July. In cultivation under temperate climates, it generally occurs in May-June.
It requires a perfectly drained, poor soil, and full sun exposure. Not very hardy, it does not tolerate wet and cold winters; in our climates, it is often grown in pots or under cold shelter. To be reserved for dry rockeries in regions with mild winters.