Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Cephalophyllum alstonii (Red spike)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cephalophyllum alstonii
Other names
Red spike, Red spike ice plant, Lipstick ice plant, Lipstick iceplant, Cephalophyllum 'Red Spike'
Genus
Cephalophyllum Cephalophyllum
Species
C. alstonii - C. alstonii is a tender, prostrate, evergreen, succulent perennial with long, grey-green stems bearing fleshy, semi-erect, spotted, cylindrical, recurved, grey-green leaves and, opening at midday in summer, long-stemmed, daisy-like, crimson flowers with violet stamens.
Cephalophyllum alstonii is: Evergreen
Habit
Prostrate, Mat Forming
Flower
Crimson, Bright-pink in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids Aphids
General care
Propagation
Sow seed at 13-18C (55-64F) in spring. Take root cuttings in late spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Root cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Cephalophyllum alstonii (Red spike) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Rock, Ground Cover, Greenhouse, Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Beds and borders
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in humus-rich, poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun. Needs protection from excessive winter wet. Grow under glass in a mix of 2 each of loam and sharp sand and 1 part leaf mould. Needs good ventilation and full light with shade from hot sun. In growth, water moderately and feed a low nitrogen fertiliser.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cephalophyllum alstonii
Other names
Red spike, Red spike ice plant, Lipstick ice plant, Lipstick iceplant, Cephalophyllum 'Red Spike'
Genus
Cephalophyllum Cephalophyllum
Species
C. alstonii - C. alstonii is a tender, prostrate, evergreen, succulent perennial with long, grey-green stems bearing fleshy, semi-erect, spotted, cylindrical, recurved, grey-green leaves and, opening at midday in summer, long-stemmed, daisy-like, crimson flowers with violet stamens.
Native to
South Africa
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Prostrate, Mat Forming
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Crimson, Bright-pink in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Propagation
Sow seed at 13-18C (55-64F) in spring. Take root cuttings in late spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Cephalophyllum alstonii (Red spike) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Rock, Ground Cover, Greenhouse, Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Beds and borders
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in humus-rich, poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun. Needs protection from excessive winter wet. Grow under glass in a mix of 2 each of loam and sharp sand and 1 part leaf mould. Needs good ventilation and full light with shade from hot sun. In growth, water moderately and feed a low nitrogen fertiliser.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login