After an artificial injury in succulent leaves of Delosperma cooperi and Delosperma ecklonis rapid wound sealing by deformation of the entire leaf takes place within approximately 90 minutes. On the basis of comparative anatomical and biomechanical analyses of the closely related species conclusions can be drawn on necessary boundary conditions allowing self-sealing by leaf deformation and movement. An analytical model of the underlying principle found in D. cooperi has been developed as basis for the transfer into bio-inspired self-repairing materials.