Aizoaceae

The Aizoaceae Family contains about 2,000 species of diminutive stone plants, carpet weeds, vygies, mesembs, and ice plants most of which come from South Africa.  Many resemble pebble stones or living carpets and have incredible flowers of many colors.



Aloinopsis spathulata



I have tried growing about a dozen different varieties, in almost all cases I have been able to have a level of success getting them to thrive spread and flower but usually only for a season or a year, four years at the most before the plant dies.  Typically they die in the summer heat (The cactus bed in full sun could easily be 125 degrees at the surface) and it seems like the plants go from sick to completely dead in about 48 hours.



I wish I knew how to keep these alive long term in Texas.  It is neat having a succulent that flowers in the winter to create a cycle of blooms that keeps interest all year round.