Aptenia cordifolia

species, hybrids and cultivars

Aptenia

This plant is usually sold as Aptenia cordifolia (now Mesembryanthemum cordifolium), but the true species has purple flowers and slightly different foliage compared to the widely available 'Red Apple' variety. That's actually a hybrid, the parent species being M. cordifolium and M. haeckelianum.

This succulent groundcover is becoming very popular. It could be used as a lawn substitute provided you don't need to walk on it. There is variety with a variegated leaf but has same pink-red flowers. It would be better for containers and ornamental garden beds.

It does have some weed potential.

This species was covered in the 24-11-2023 edition of Get Results Gardening. Lots plants suitable for Australian residential landscapes (especially the of tropical and subtropical zones) are discussed in this weekly email publication. Find out how to get a free trial at calyx.com.au/getresultsgardening.html

Aptenia in the Landscape

These photographs were taken in Brisbane. They're intended to show how the plant looks in landscape situations, which might help you decide how to use it in your garden. Click for larger images.

More images will be added over time. However, due to the decline of online advertising and the rise of content appropriation by AI bots, there won't be much other content added to the website in the foreseeable future. High quality, in-depth information is now being directed towards the email publication (mini-magazine) Get Results Gardening. If you live in Australia and would like to see a copy of the 24-11-2023 edition, which contained an article about Aptenia, ask for it in the body of your email message when you request a free trial. More information here: calyx.com.au/getresultsgardening.html