The world of succulents is a treasure trove for many cool garden plants that attract many collectors, including house plant enthusiastics. Heartleaf iceplant (Aptenia cordifolia), also called Baby sun rose, is a non-hardy succulent or evergreen ground cover.

This herbaceous subshrub is indigenous to South Africa and favors a Mediterranea- like climatic conditions (in USDA hardiness zones 9-12). Aptenia is closely related to hardy iceplant (Delasprema cooperi). Both genera are found in the botanical family Aizoaceae. 

Heartleaf iceplant loves light, but you may need to shelter leaves from direct sun during extreme heat and dry periods. Keep it moderately watered can potentially harm the leaves. In temperate regions, it is beloved for its thick green foliage in spring-summer gardens and nurtured indoors as a houseplant in a well-lit room. Heartleaf iceplant tolerates to dry periods. Treat it as any other cactus or succulent and water this as you would water others in your home. Avoid extremes of overwatering and drought.

Heartleaf iceplant can be propagated from seeds and by cuttings. Seeds can be purchased online plant shops or snip 4-5-inch-long cuttings from garden plants in early fall before cold weather arrives. Pot rooted cuttings and seedlings in a well-drained soil-less media.

Aptenia creates a colorful foliage and flowering plant. In a garden container, utilize as a filler or a chiller to drape over the edges of containers. Flower colors include red, purple, pink, and white; flowers are comprised of strap-like multi petals.