Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 'Red Apple'
Product details
| Management number | 250425226 | Release Date | 2026/09/17 | List Price | US$3.20 | Model Number | 250425226 | ||
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- Description
- Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 'Red Apple' Care Guide
- FAQ/Common Issues
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Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 'Red Apple', also called Baby Sun Rose, is a fast-growing trailing succulent native to South Africa, where it spreads across rocky coastal slopes and dry open ground. It belongs to the family Aizoaceae and has been widely grown as a ground cover and hanging plant across warm climates.
The leaves of 'Red Apple' are small, fleshy, and heart-shaped, held on trailing stems that can spread several feet wide. In full sun, the foliage shifts from forest green to deep burgundy-red, while plants kept in lower light tend to stay greener. The stems root where they touch soil, and the overall growth habit is low and wide-spreading. 
'Red Apple' produces small, daisy-like flowers in vivid magenta-pink, typically appearing in spring and summer, and often continuing into autumn in warm climates. The blooms open fully in bright sunlight and close at night or on overcast days. It can stay outdoors through autumn in mild regions, and the continued flowering across seasons makes it a familiar sight in warm-climate gardens. 
Move it outside for summer — it handles balcony conditions well and spreads quickly into a wide ground cover or spills over the edges of a hanging basket. This plant is pet friendly, and you can leave it up to ten days without water. It wilts slightly when dry, then recovers after watering. The flowers produce pollen, so keep that in mind if you have pollen sensitivities in the household.
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Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 'Red Apple' thrives in full sun and also tolerates low-light conditions indoors. 
It needs water every 10-14 days, letting the soil dry out completely between waterings. 
'Red Apple' does best in a sandy, fast-draining mix, such as cactus or succulent soil blended with perlite. 
It prefers temperatures between 65-85°F and is sensitive to cold air from AC vents or heaters blowing directly on the foliage. 'Red Apple' is a fast grower and benefits from light pruning to keep stems tidy; feed with a diluted balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11, tolerating brief dips to around 25-30°F. It grows outdoors year-round in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Hawaii. It also grows outdoors in Georgia, South Carolina, and along the Gulf Coast where winters stay mild.
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Q: How drought tolerant is Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 'Red Apple'?
A: Very drought tolerant. You can leave it up to ten days without water, and it recovers quickly after a dry spell once watered.
Q: Is this plant safe for cats and dogs?
A: Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 'Red Apple' is non-toxic and pet friendly for both cats and dogs.
Q: How do I propagate 'Red Apple'?
A: Take a stem cutting a few inches long, let the cut end dry for a day, then press it into moist, well-draining soil. Roots form within a couple of weeks, and the stems will also self-root wherever they rest on soil.
Q: Why are the leaves turning yellow?
A: 'Red Apple' most often yellows from overwatering or soil that stays wet too long. Check that the pot drains freely and that the soil is fully dry before the next watering.
Q: Does Baby Sun Rose need to be rotated for even growth?
A: Rotating the pot every few weeks helps stems spread more evenly, especially indoors where light comes from one direction. Without rotating, one side tends to trail longer than the other.
Q: Can Baby Sun Rose be grown in a hanging basket?
A: Baby Sun Rose is well suited to hanging baskets. The trailing stems grow long enough to hang over the sides, and the basket format keeps the roots from sitting in excess moisture.
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