Photo of Dudleya edulis foliage by Stan Shebs

Photo by Stan Shebs

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Dudleya edulis

Also Known As

  • Cotyledon edulis
  • Echeveria edulis
  • Sedum edule
  • Stylophyllum edule
  • Fingertips
  • Ladies Fingers

Plant type

cactus / succulent, groundcover

size

  • H: 4"-12"
  • W: 6"-12"

planting zones

  • 9a-11

More Options

Dudleya edulis plant details

Dudleya edulis is an evergreen groundcover cactus / succulent with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees, birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer, dry in winter. Does well in gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Dudleya edulis

Plant type: groundcover cactus / succulent
Plant family: crassulaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 6 IN - 12 IN - wide, 4 IN - 12 IN - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: collectible, container plant, desert garden, easy-to-grow, firescaping/fire wise, fragrant, houseplant, long-blooming, rare, rock garden, roof garden, rosette-forming, xeric, Dudleya edulis
USDA Zones: 9a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

One of the more widespread Dudleya species from the coast-facing bluffs and mountains from southern California to northwestern Baja, California. This form is shiny bright green, upward-reaching fingers often tipped purple, especially with light frost or summer drought. Clumping to about 18". Able to withstand more summer watering than many of the Dudleyas. One of the easiest in cultivation, though rather tender, only to about 20-25 degrees. We use this as a pull-in plant in both containers, either mixed and alone, treating this much as we would an Aeonium with cool, damp, but bright conditions in the winter, letting dry when temperatures become hot.
A California native succulent groundcover, hill stabilizer, as well as an interesting plant for the rock garden or dry garden. Rare in the nursery trade, Dudleya edulis forms a 1’ x 1’ mat of upright, fleshy, gray-green, finger like leaves. The fragrant, star shaped, white flowers appear June-July. The foliage is evergreen & birds & butterflies are attracted. Give “Ladies Fingers” well-drained soil & afternoon shade away from the coast for best appearance. From the U.C. Botanical Garden Collection.

Gardening facts about Dudleya edulis plant

How to Grow Dudleya edulis

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in winter
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • lean
    • well-drained
    • rocky
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Wildlife

    • birds
    • bees
    • butterflies
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous
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