Dudleya

( DUD - lee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of succulent perennial plants needs full sun and moderate water. They are native to California, Arizona, coastal Oregon, and Baja California. Plants in this genus are commonly known as Liveforevers, and form rosettes of succulent leaves. Many species readily hybridize, and new cultivars are discovered and propagated constantly. These succulents are ideal for rock gardens, containers, and sunny, well-draining slopes. They provide architectural, sculptural form with colorful foliage and produce flowers that will attract pollinators, like hummingbirds and bees, to the landscape.

Dudleya Species and Varietals

There are about 40 species of Dudleya, which is a member of the plant family Crassulaceae, and the best growing zones for these plants vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Dudleya albiflora (White-Flower Liveforever)
These succulent perennials are native to the Baja California Peninsula, and come in a variety of forms. They typically form rosettes of grey-green foliage and have a clumping form. Leaves are purplish in color towards their tips. Flowers are white. Individual plants reach up to 4-8 inches tall and spread to form clumps 12-28 inches wide. The species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b.

Dudleya attenuata (Taper-Tip Liveforever, Orcutt's Liveforever)
These Baja California and California coastal native plants form rosettes of succulent, narrow foliage covered in whitish wax. Rosettes form clumps up to 16 inches wide. Flowers produced by this species are cream, white, or pinkish. Taper-Tip Liveforever grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b.

Dudleya brittonii (Britton's Dudleya, Britton's Liveforever, Giant Chalk Dudleya)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-12 or Sunset growing zones 16, 17 and 21-24. They form rosettes on stems that grow to reach 1-2 feet long. The stems (or trunks) will topple over under the weight of the rosette as the plant ages. Leaves are covered in chalk, and spring flowers are yellow and appear on red stems. This plant needs bright light, and shelter from weather. Best under an overhang that will protect the chalky leaf covering from being rubbed or washed off. Water from base. There are two forms of the species, white form (with powder-white chalky leaves) and green form (less common, with green leaves lacking a chalky coating). This species, due to its waxy coating, has the highest ultraviolet reflectivity ever discovered in a plant.

Quick Question: What is Epicuticular Wax?
One of the most unique features of Dudleya succulents is their waxy coating, which is typically white and chalky. This substance is hydrophobic (repels water), and serves to reduce water loss, protect against UV damage, deter pests, and minimize surface wetting. This wax is critical for the plant's survival and while some species (e.g., Dudleya brittonii) can regenerate the coating, others cannot, and physical contact can cause permanent, visible, and irreparable damage on mature foliage. It is best to keep these plants out of reach of curious children's to best protect plant health.

Dudleya caespitosa (Coast Dudleya, Sea Lettuce, Sand Lettuce)
This native of Southern California grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or Sunset growing zones 9, 14-17 and 19-24. Great for containers, rock gardens and low borders. Commonly seen along coastline cliffs, where they can naturalize and form large colonies. Individual plants reach up to 4-8 inches tall and 4-12 inches wide. Flower stalks reach 2 feet tall in summertime, and are topped with orange-yellow blooms.

Dudleya farinosa (Bluff Lettuce, Powdery Liveforever, Powdery Dudleya, North Coast Dudleya, Sea Cliff Stonecrop)
This species of Dudleya grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 5, 7, 14-17 and 19-24 and is native to Northern California and Southern Oregon. Individual plants reach up to between 4 and 8 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide at maturity. Common on sea cliffs growing in colonies in their native range.

Dudleya gatesii (Gates' Liveforever)
These perennial succulents are native to the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, and typically are found amongst dry outcroppings. These plants reach up to between 6 and 8 inches tall at maturity, and are 8 inches wide. Succulent leaves are greenish grey, and their tips frequently point downward and are flushed with reddish tones. Flowering stems are magenta to deep red, supporting inflorescences of white flowers.

Dudleya multicaulis (Manystem Liveforever, Many-Stemmed Dudleya)
This species is endemic to southern California, and is considered endangered due to urban development in its native range. It produces short, finger-like cylindrical leaves with pointed tips, and flowering stems that support up to 15 flowers each. Blooms appear in late spring and are yellow.

Dudleya pulverulenta (Chalk Lettuce, Chalk Dudleya, Chalk Liveforever)
This is one of the largest species in the genus, forming a blue-silver chalky rosette that reaches up to 1-2 feet wide and 4-12 inches tall at maturity. Flowering stalks can reach up to 3-5 feet tall and hold branched clusters of red bell-shaped blooms. They are frequented by hummingbirds, pollinators which their pendulous flowers are adapted specifically to.

Dudleya stolonifera (Laguna Beach Liveforever, Laguna Beach Dudleya)
This rare species is considered endangered due to urban development and over-harvesting for the succulent trade. These plants produce one to several rosettes of green leaves that are tinged with maroon on their lower surfaces. Flowering stems are present from May through July, and support bright yellow blooms. These plants reach up to between 3 and 8 inches tall when mature.

Caring for Dudleya

Plant Dudley succulents in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these plants are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of rock mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of dry, warm weather. Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. Dudleyas do not need to be fertilized. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Dudleya plants are commonly called 'Liveforevers' because they have very long life expectancies in the landscape. Many species can survive for between 50 and 100 years in their native habitats. They are slow-growing and resilient, forming clumps over time that can be divided, providing plants indefinitely.

Caring for Dudleya in Containers
Dudleya plants do well in the ground but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. These plants prefer a rocky or sandy substrate that is well-draining. Top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Dudleya plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground, but are still considered very drought-tolerant. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch and allow soil to completely dry out between irrigations. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

The best way to propagate Dudleya succulents is by cutting in springtime. To propagate your succulent, you will need a clean, sharp knife or garden shears and a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix (if you will not be replanting in the ground). When you have gathered your materials, follow the directions below to propagate your plant:

Use your clean, sharp garden shears or knife to cut off a piece of stem with leaves. Place this cutting on its side and leave it in a dry, warm, shaded spot for at least three days. This will cause the root end to heal and form a hard callous. Doing this helps the plant avoid root rot when it gets planted in potting mix.
Fill your pot with the potting mix described above, and then place the calloused end of your cutting into the soil. Push down until the cutting can stay upright without assistance. Place the pot in a spot that receives bright, indirect light and water lightly once a week. Do not allow the soil to become too moist or dry out completely.
Your cutting should grow roots in about two weeks, whether or not it is placed in potting medium. To check for roots, lightly tug on the plant. If it resists, you have roots.