Dudleya Plant Care & Growing Guide

The dudleya plant offers an excellent means of making your garden more attractive and introducing g some variety to it. These succulents are fairly small, but they offer quite a unique appearance. 

There are 50 different varieties, most of which come from the Western part of the United States.

Dudleya Plant Care & Growing Guide

1. Light Requirement

It is definitely best to grow this plant in an area that offers partial shade, as too much direct sunlight can do major damage to it very quickly. If you live in an area that is very sunny, it is very important that you give this plant adequate shade. These plants cannot survive the blaring hot summer sun for very long.

2. Water

These plants require minimal water to thrive, so you’ll have to keep that in mind when growing one. It is a good idea to not water your dudleya at all during the warmer summer months. You can begin watering this plant on a regular basis when fall rolls around. Make sure that you water at the plant’s roots. 

Watering the leaves of your plant could do a lot of damage to it. A lot of people give these plants too much water, which inevitably leads to the dreaded root rot. You will need to be extremely conservative when it comes to how much water you give this plant in order to keep it as healthy as possible.

3. Climate

The dudleya plant can be grown in USDA zones 5 through 11. They don’t tend to do very well when grown in extremely hot and/or dry regions. This plant is commonly grown in U.S. coastal regions, as most of them offer an ideal growing climate.

They are particularly popular with people who live in California. Many people in Asian countries like South Korea and China grow these plants as well.

4. Soil

It is best to grow these plants in rocky, well-draining soil. This will go a long way towards preventing root rot, which can be a serious problem. You will be able to use soil that contains high levels of salt, as this plant is fairly resilient in this respect. Simply choose a high quality potting mix that is made specifically for succulents.

5. Temperature

These plants are fairly sturdy and can tolerate cold temperatures all the way down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. As we mentioned above, they are fairly sensitive to extreme heat. In the summer months, these plants shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Fahrenheit in direct sunlight. They can tolerate somewhat higher temperatures when kept in the shade.

6. Repotting

Transplanting dudleyas is actually quite easy, as they are very durable and can withstand a bit of manhandling. You will, however, need to make sure that the roots have plenty of room to spread out when picking a new spot. This is important to consider, whether you are taking it from one pot to another, or moving it from a pot to somewhere outside.

7. Speed of Growth

You won’t have to worry about this plant growing extremely fast. In fact, dudleyas grow at quite a sluggish rate.

8. Height and Spread

The average dudleya plant grows up to two feet tall with a spread of 12 to 18 inches at the most.

9. Flowers

The yellow flowers that this plant produces are quite striking to look at. These plants bloom in the spring or sometimes summer months. The flowers do not emit any fragrance, and they form in clusters, and they really stand out among the red foliage.

10. Trimming

You will find that the dudleya plant doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. You won’t have to deal with prune this plant’s foliage or cutting any of the flowers.

How to Get Dudleya Plants to Flower

When it comes to encouraging flowering with this plant, you just need to make sure that its basic needs are met on a daily basis. This means that your plant is getting enough water and sunlight, but not too much. An excess of either one of these things can delay flowering or prevent it entirely.

Common Walking Iris Diseases

Ants are definitely one of the biggest concerns when it comes to the overall health and well-being of these plants. Argentine ants in particular can do a lot of damage to dudleya plants in a short span of time. 

You’ll also need to be on the lookout for mealybugs, aphids, slugs, and snails. It is best to take preventative action so these pests do not become an issue in the first place.

Root rot is a major issue with these plants, as many people give them too much water. It might seem strange to deprive your plant of water in the summer, but it will help prevent this problem. Proper air circulation is incredibly important, as poor circulation can lead to the development of multiple fungal diseases.

Yellow spots on the leaves of your plant strongly indicate that it has developed root rot. If this is the case, you’ll need to drastically reduce the amount of water you give it.

Conclusion

Dudleya plants are very sensitive to direct sunlight, so you’ll want to keep yours in the shade. These plants prefer warm regions that are not too hot or dry. They are also quite resilient, capable of withstanding the cold to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Watering is a big issue with these plants, and it can be somewhat tricky. You should avoid watering your plant throughout the entire summer. Once fall comes, you can begin watering it on a regular basis. You won’t need to give it a lot of water though, as doing so can actually lead to root rot very quickly.

The durable nature of these plants will serve you well when repotting or transplanting them. They need to be put in a new area with plenty of room for the roots to grow out. When it comes to grooming, no trimming is necessary. The most effective way to get this plant to flower is to make sure its basic needs are met on a daily basis. Pests like aphids, slugs and ants can be a problem with these plants. You will therefore want to take the necessary measures to keep these pests away.

Also read:

• Watermelon Peperomia Care & Growing Guide
• Blue Plumbago Plant Care & Growing Guide