Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) Dudleya brittonii
Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) (Dudleya brittonii) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Crassulaceae family, native to Coastal cliffs of northern Baja California, Mexico. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal cliffs of northern Baja California, Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever)
- How far apart should I plant Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever)?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Giant chalk dudleya (Britton’s live-forever). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- A large, chalk-white rosette covered in a waxy powder that reflects the sun, with red stems of yellow flowers in spring. Grows through the cool, foggy winter and rests in summer: keep it dry then. Wild dudleyas have been poached in large numbers for export, so buy nursery plants.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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