Dudleya farinosa
bluff lettuce
Overview
Dudleya farinosa is an evergreen perennial succulent in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), forming rosettes of fleshy leaves 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) across, singly or in branched clumps, from a stout woody base. The thick, oblong leaves are pale green and often coated in a chalky white, powdery wax that reflects sunlight and reduces water loss; the wax can flush pink or red where the plant is exposed to sun and wind. In late spring and summer, reddish flower stalks 6-14 inches (15-35 cm) tall rise from the rosettes, branching at the top into clusters of pale yellow, five-petaled flowers. After seeding, the stalks dry and the rosettes carry on, drawing on water stored in their leaves through the dry season. D. farinosa grows on coastal bluffs, rocky headlands, and sea cliffs from central California north to southern Oregon, rooting in crevices and thin soils within reach of ocean fog. It is adapted to summer drought and salt spray but rots quickly in wet, poorly drained soil or with summer irrigation. Growth is slow, and rosettes take several years to reach flowering size.
Native Range
Native to the Pacific coast of North America, from central California north to southwestern Oregon. It grows on coastal bluffs, sea cliffs, rocky headlands, and steep slopes within the zone of ocean fog, rooting in rock crevices and shallow soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in rock gardens, succulent and coastal plantings, green roofs, and containers in mild, dry-summer climates. Its leaf rosettes add form to dry stone walls and crevice plantings. The summer flowers are visited by bees and hummingbirds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'2"
Width/Spread4" - 1'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
pale green with chalky white coatingGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Dudleya farinosa grows in full sun to part sun on sharply drained sandy, rocky, or gritty soils with a pH near 6.0 to 7.5. It stores water in its leaves and needs no summer irrigation; wet soil and overhead water in the warm months cause fatal rot. The plant tolerates salt spray and coastal wind and is hardy in roughly USDA zones 8 to 10. It grows slowly and recovers poorly from root disturbance; the waxy coating on its leaves does not regrow once rubbed off. In containers it needs a fast-draining mix and a dry summer rest. No fertilizer is needed in its lean native soils.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Spent flower stalks can be cut off after the seeds drop. Dead outer leaves can be removed from the base of the rosette to keep it tidy.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons