Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Living Carpet Plant Care
Glottiphyllum difforme (L.) N.E.Br.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Glottiphyllum difforme is a unique succulent known for its distinctive triangular leaves that vary in color from green to purple. This plant originates from the rocky terrains of South Africa and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its striking appearance and easy care requirements.
Every 10–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Living Carpet?
Water Living Carpet every 10–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Living Carpet Native To?
What Is the Living Carpet?
Living Carpet (Glottiphyllum difforme) belongs to the Aizoaceae family within the Glottiphyllum genus. Living Carpet is native to South Africa and occurs in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
Living Carpet displays a low clumping succulent growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Living Carpet produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Living Carpet?
Glottiphyllum difforme requires watering every 10–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 10–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Living Carpet Need?
Living Carpet thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Living Carpet Prefer?
Glottiphyllum difforme grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Living Carpet prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Living Carpet?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Living Carpet to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Living Carpet?
Feed Living Carpet every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Living Carpet?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Living Carpet?
Living Carpet can be propagated through leaf cuttings, division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ice plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Living Carpet Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Living Carpet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Living Carpet?
Living Carpet is susceptible to mealybugs, aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Living Carpet Need?
Living Carpet grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Living Carpet is native to South Africa and occurs in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. In cooler regions, grow Living Carpet as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Living Carpet is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Glottiphyllum genus — compare its care with other Glottiphyllum species on PlantoScan.
Glottiphyllum is part of the Aizoaceae plant family — browse all Aizoaceae genera and species.
Living Carpet thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Glottiphyllum Species
Other Glottiphyllum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Glottiphyllum difforme (L.) N.E.Br., family Aizoaceae (first published in in Gard. Chron., ser. 3, 71: 22. 1922.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Living Carpet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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