Baby Sunrose, Heartleaf Ice Plant 'Red Apple' (Aptenia cordifolia)

Aptenia "Red Apple"

this is an interesting looking plant. i take it you're in northern california. any idea what it would be like in zone 10 florida?

It would probably do very well, but this is definitely a plant that could be invasive in your area. It will root from any part of a stem or leaf. Once you plant it, you've got it for keeps, so be careful. I've got it in an area with a young tree I'm watering, and once a month I have to get in with a shovel and rip some of the aptenia out to prevent it from overrunning the other plants (lilies and alyssum). Once it's established, it will go a long time without water, suitable for xeriscaping although the color becomes bronze-tinged. But it is a lovely plant and bees adore it.

SUNBONNET SUE GOT ICE PLANT AS A HAND-ME-DOWN CUTTING FROM A CHURCH FRIEND. IT HAS NOT GROWN REALLY FAST IN 3 " POT. I REPOTED INTO 4" WITH FRESH POTTING SOIL. MAYBE IT WILL GROW BETTER/FASTER. IT HAS BEEN IN SHADE. I WILL ACLIMATE IT TO FULL SUN.
I DO HAVE ONE RED FLOWER IS WHY I SEARCHED THE APTENIA "RED APPLE".
I RAVE FOR DAVE FOR SUCH A GREAT PLANT DATABASE OF USEABLE INFORMATION, DON'T U?
BROADDUS, TX ON LAKE SAM RAYBURN, DEED, SOUTHEAST TX

My mother still curses me for this plant. I thought it was cute. Planted some when I was in high school in her yard in Los Angeles. 25 years later she still can't get rid of it. It's an invasive on the order of mint- BEWARE.

Jenny

Actually, I planted too many of them (about a dozen) and so took about all but four clumps, since we have a relatively small lot of only 5600 sq. ft. Contrary to bordersandjacks' experience, I've had absolutely no trouble taking it out permanently. A. cordifolia roots from the center and spreads out. The runners will eventually create roots where they find soil, but they don't do it very quickly (it takes several months) and the roots themselves are rather shallow, compared to, say, taking out mature rosebushes! Compared to how hard it was to get rid of our Bermuda grass, A. cordifolia is a cinch.

However, I reiterate, this plant is an invasive and not recommended for rural areas or even urban areas where it cannot be contained by concrete hardscape. With water it will be an aggressive grower and needs to be regularly pruned to stay within bounds.

I picked some of this up in Three Rivers Texas. It is beautiful in hanging baskets. Sorry no pictures will post later.

Amoung a sea of red apple (aptenia cordifolia) I found a plant that produces only a yellow flower. The plant looks like a red apple except the flowers are pure yellow. Cuttings produce a pure yellow. I would like to know if there is a yellow apple {aptenia cordifolia}? Jim Knott

I have 'Red Apple' cuttings a friend gave me yesterday - a whole bag full. Will they root in water or do I need to pot the cuttings? I have 2 of the 1 gallon that I bought for some pots but they really need to go out in my front pots. I need one more plant and hope these cuttings will thrive for me.

Thanks in advance!

Robin