Hardy Living Stone

Aloinopsis spathulata is a compact South African succulent in the ice-plant family, Aizoaceae, rather than a true aloe. Its fleshy, spoon-shaped, textured leaves form a low mat, with vivid pink flowers held just above the foliage. ## Form and Flowers Kew accepts the name *Aloinopsis spathulata* and classifies it as a succulent subshrub native to South Africa’s Northern Cape. Red Butte Garden lists a mature size near 3 inches tall by 20 inches wide, while Cistus Nursery describes plants around 2 inches tall by 12 inches wide. The pink flowers are conspicuous against pale gray-green foliage; Red Butte records April flowering in its Utah garden. ## Siting Use it in a sunny rock garden, gravel bed, trough, or small container with gritty, sharply drained soil. It is suited to dry-climate plantings and can tolerate colder conditions than many succulents, though winter wet can be damaging. Red Butte Garden lists USDA zones 5–9. Provide the drainage and sun needed for the compact mat to remain healthy. ## Maintenance Water sparingly, especially in cold weather, and allow excess moisture to drain freely. Keep competing plants from overtopping this low-growing species. [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:360532-1) · [Red Butte Garden](https://redbuttegarden.org/plants/species/1319/) · [Cistus Nursery size and culture](https://plantlust.com/plants/17332/aloinopsis-spathulata/)