Aptenia Cordifolia- Baby Sun Rose

Mesembryanthemum cordifolium formerly known as Aptenia cordifolia is a species of succulent plant in the ice plant family. The common names of the plant include baby sun rose. This sprawling plant forms a dense mat that grows in flat clumps along the ground from six to twelve inches tall. It has bright green, heart-shaped, succulent leaves and small, reddish-purple to pinkish-purple, button-like flowers with yellow centers. Its flowers bloom from early spring until summer.

Keep the soil dry if you want the baby sun rose to remain compact, watering only when the soil is completely dry at the plant’s roots. In wetter soils, the plant has a tendency to become aggressive and may overwhelm anything planted in the vicinity. The plant is considered invasive in California, so keep an eye on its spread. Baby sun rose requires no fertilizer and may develop soft growth that's susceptible to rot if subjected to excess nitrogen.

Length 6" to 8"

Spread 4" to 6"

Pot Size 4" Nursery Pot