Aptenia cordifolia or ‘Baby Sun Rose’.
Aptenia cordifolia is a relatively fast growing succulent plant useful as a ground cover plant. Regarded a invasive in some situations careful control is required.
Also known as the ‘Baby Sunrose’ and ‘Heart Leafed Ice Plant’ some gardeners claim that it is not invasive, and in certain soils and climates this is true. However in warmer climates, with good soils it can be a problem.
Although you can pull the plant out easily, it still spreads rapidly.
Bright red to magenta flowers and glossy foliage do make the plant attractive, however the creeping habit in warmer climates can cause it to become a little weedy.
Originally from South Africa the flowers only open on sunny days, hence the name.
Aptenia cordifolia Summary Information
- Height – Will reach a height of 5 – 10 cm
- Spread – Will spread to 1.5 metres and more.
- Position – Full sun to dappled shade.
- Soil – Humus rich well drained, however tolerant of a range of well drained soils.
- Foliage – Mid green
- Flowers – Pink to red
- Flowering period – Spring to summer.
- Growth habit – Forms a dense matt and will out compete other plants.
Although this is a great ground cover for hot sunny positions, Aptenia cordifolia does have its problems. We would only grow it in a container or hanging basket.
Because of the tendency to spread quickly, this is not a plant that should be planted where it can escaape into the wild, or other areas of the garden.