Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink ice plant (Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink’) is a compact, low-growing succulent perennial that delivers a surprisingly bold and long-lasting floral display from a plant that asks almost nothing in return. Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, it’s one of the more cold-hardy ice plants available, which expands its usefulness well beyond the mild climates where ice plants have traditionally been grown. It thrives in full sun and has an absolute requirement for well-drained to sharply drained soil, preferring lean, sandy, or gravelly conditions where excess moisture drains away quickly. Rich, fertile, or consistently moist soils are genuinely problematic for this plant, promoting root rot and reducing its already impressive longevity. Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink is considered quite deer resistant, which combined with its drought tolerance makes it particularly practical for low-maintenance, low-water garden situations.

The flowers are the main event, and they don’t disappoint. Each bloom is a cheerful, daisy-like flower in a warm, soft salmon-pink, with a central ring or eye of lighter, often white to pale yellow tones that creates a two-toned effect of particular charm. The blooms are produced in extraordinary abundance from late spring through fall, covering the plant so densely at peak flowering that the foliage is nearly invisible beneath them. The display isn’t a single burst and done but rather a prolonged, season-long performance that continues with remarkable persistence through the heat of summer and well into fall. The foliage is equally interesting, consisting of small, cylindrical, succulent leaves that have a slightly glistening or crystalline appearance that gives the plant its common name. The leaves stay green through the growing season and often take on attractive reddish or bronzy tones in cold weather, providing quiet fall and winter interest even after flowering has wound down. Plants stay very low, typically reaching just 2 to 4 inches tall and spreading 12 to 18 inches wide, forming a tight, ground-hugging mat that’s excellent for suppressing weeds and filling difficult sunny spots. Whether you’re using it as a ground cover, a rock garden specimen, a slope stabilizer, a container plant, or a colorful edging along a sunny path or border, Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink is one of the most rewarding and nearly effortless plants you can grow in a sunny, dry situation.

Plant care

Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink is one of the lowest-maintenance perennials available, but its care requirements are very specific around drainage and sun. Get those two things right and the plant practically takes care of itself.

Watering

Once established, Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink is exceptionally drought tolerant and needs very little supplemental watering in most climates. During the first growing season, water occasionally to help the root system establish, but avoid overwatering even at this stage. Once established, natural rainfall is sufficient in most regions, and supplemental irrigation should be reserved for extended periods of extreme drought. Overwatering is the most common mistake with ice plants and the most common cause of decline. If you’re unsure whether to water, err strongly on the side of waiting. Consistently wet or soggy soil, especially in combination with heat and humidity, leads quickly to root rot.

Fertilizing

Ice plants don’t need fertilizing and are best left unfed in most situations. Rich soil and supplemental feeding push soft, floppy growth that’s more susceptible to disease and reduces the intensity of flowering. If the plant is growing in genuinely infertile, impoverished soil and looks genuinely stressed, a very light application of a low-nitrogen, bloom-promoting fertilizer in early spring is the most that’s appropriate. In average to poor, well-drained soil, no fertilizing is needed at all.

Grooming

Deadheading individual blooms isn’t practical or necessary given the sheer number of flowers ice plants produce, but a light shearing after the main flush of spring and early summer bloom can tidy the plant, remove spent growth, and encourage a fresh flush of flowering. In late winter or early spring, trim away any dead or damaged foliage from the previous season before new growth begins to emerge. In cold climates toward the northern end of its hardiness range, some foliage may be damaged or killed back in winter, and removing this in early spring keeps the planting looking tidy and allows new growth to come in cleanly.

Winter drainage

It’s worth emphasizing that drainage is even more critical in winter than in summer for ice plants. The combination of cold temperatures and wet soil is far more damaging than cold alone, and many ice plant losses in winter are attributable to wet, poorly drained soil rather than cold temperatures per se. In regions with wet winters, making sure the planting site has excellent drainage before planting is the single most important factor in winter survival. Raised beds, slopes, rock gardens, and amended sandy or gravelly soils are ideal situations. In heavy clay or low-lying sites, ice plants are poor candidates regardless of their hardiness rating.

Planting tips

Choose the sunniest, best-drained spot available. Full sun and excellent drainage are non-negotiable for long-term success. If your native soil is heavy clay or has poor drainage, amend the planting area generously with coarse sand, gravel, or grit to improve drainage before planting, or consider a raised bed. Avoid the temptation to enrich the soil with compost or other organic matter, which retains moisture and promotes the conditions ice plants least like. Dig a hole the same size as the root ball, set the plant so the crown sits just at or slightly above grade, and backfill with the native or amended soil. A layer of pea gravel or coarse grit around the base of the plant, keeping the immediate crown area dry, can help prevent crown rot in wetter climates. Water in after planting and then back off quickly. Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart to allow room for their spreading habit, and expect them to fill in their allotted space within a season or two.

Landscape uses

Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink’s low, spreading habit and extraordinary bloom season make it one of the most useful plants available for difficult, sunny, dry garden situations. As a ground cover on sunny slopes and banks, it’s outstanding, providing erosion control, weed suppression, and a long season of color with minimal irrigation. It’s a natural fit for rock gardens and xeriscape designs, where its lean soil preference and drought tolerance are genuine functional advantages. Along walkways, path edges, and the front of sunny borders, its low profile and bright flowers create a clean, colorful edging that requires almost no maintenance once established. In containers and window boxes with excellent drainage, it cascades attractively over the edges and provides season-long color. It pairs beautifully with other drought-tolerant, full-sun perennials and ornamentals like sedums, hens and chicks, lavender, ornamental grasses, and creeping thyme, creating a cohesive, low-water planting that’s both attractive and ecologically appropriate. Its salmon-pink flower color is warm and versatile, combining naturally with other soft pinks, whites, purples, and the silvery foliage of plants like artemisia and stachys.

Pollinators and wildlife value

Despite its succulent, somewhat otherworldly appearance, Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink is a genuine pollinator plant. The flowers attract bees and butterflies in meaningful numbers throughout the long bloom season, and the extended flowering period from late spring through fall means it provides a nectar source across a broader stretch of the season than many garden plants. In rock gardens and xeriscape designs where plant diversity can be limited, a low-water pollinator plant with such a long bloom season is particularly valuable.

Growing ice plant in colder climates

Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink’s zone 5 hardiness rating makes it viable in considerably colder climates than older ice plant varieties, but a few practices improve the odds of winter survival at the colder end of its range. Planting in a raised bed or on a slope where drainage is guaranteed is the most important step. Avoiding any fertilizing or heavy watering late in the season, which can push soft growth that won’t harden properly before cold arrives, is also important. In zone 5, a light, dry mulch of coarse gravel applied around the base of the plant in fall can help insulate the crown without trapping moisture. Avoid organic mulches like shredded bark, which retain too much moisture around the crown. Even with all precautions, some winter dieback at the tips of the foliage is normal and not a cause for concern, as the plant typically recovers quickly in spring once temperatures rise.

FAQ

How long does Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink bloom? It blooms from late spring through fall, typically from May or June all the way into October in most climates, making it one of the longest-blooming perennials available. The display is most intense in late spring and early summer but continues with good persistence through the heat of summer and into fall.

Is ice plant really hardy in zone 5? The Wheels of Wonder series was selected for improved cold hardiness compared to older ice plant varieties, and zone 5 hardiness is achievable with excellent drainage and appropriate siting. Drainage is the key factor. Plants in well-drained soil survive temperatures that would kill the same plant in wet or poorly drained conditions.

Why is my ice plant dying? The most common cause of ice plant decline is poor drainage, either in summer or winter. Root rot in consistently moist or waterlogged soil is the primary killer. Too much shade is another common cause of poor performance. If the plant is in full sun with good drainage and still declining, check for crown rot at the base of the plant.

Does ice plant need to be cut back? A light shearing after the main flush of spring bloom tidies the plant and can encourage fresh flowering. In late winter or early spring, trim away any dead or winter-damaged foliage before new growth emerges. Beyond these light grooming tasks, ice plant doesn’t need significant cutting back.

Can I grow Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink in a container? Yes, it grows well in containers with excellent drainage and full sun. Use a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix, make sure the container has drainage holes, and avoid overwatering. Container-grown plants may need some winter protection in colder zones.

Is ice plant invasive? Some ice plant species, particularly certain Carpobrotus species, are considered invasive in coastal California and other mild climates. Delosperma ice plants like Wheels of Wonder are generally not considered invasive and are well-behaved in garden settings. Check with your local extension service if you have specific concerns about your region.

What’s the difference between ice plant and stonecrop? Both are succulent, drought-tolerant, low-growing perennials, but they’re different plants. Ice plants (Delosperma) produce daisy-like flowers and have cylindrical, glistening succulent leaves. Stonecrops (Sedum and Hylotelephium) have fleshier, flatter leaves and produce clusters of small star-shaped flowers. Both are excellent for dry, sunny situations.

How do I propagate ice plant? Ice plant is easily propagated from stem cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. Take 3 to 4 inch tip cuttings, allow the cut end to dry and callous for a day or two, and then insert into well-draining potting mix. Keep barely moist until roots develop, then treat as established plants. It can also be propagated by division in spring.

Does Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink need deadheading? No, deadheading individual flowers isn’t practical or necessary. The plant is self-cleaning and produces flowers so abundantly that individual spent blooms are barely noticeable. A light overall shearing after the peak of bloom is more practical and effective than trying to deadhead individual flowers.

What grows well with Wheels of Wonder Salmony Pink? It pairs naturally with other drought-tolerant, full-sun plants like sedums, hens and chicks, lavender, creeping thyme, ornamental grasses, and artemisia. In rock gardens and xeriscapes, it combines well with any plants that share its preference for lean, well-drained soil and full sun.