Sea lettuce (Dudleya caespitosa) is a perennial succulent native to coastal California that forms dense clumping rosettes of pale green to blue-green leaves. In spring and summer it produces tall flowering stalks with yellow flowers and often bright pink bracts and stalks that tower above the foliage. It is drought tolerant and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it suitable as a low-maintenance groundcover, especially on coastal bluffs, slopes, and in containers. Sea lettuce provides habitat for hummingbirds and seed-eating birds.

1. (DUD-lee-uh
* Sea Lettuce – Dudleya caespitosa
kess (or sess)-pi-TOH-suh)
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)
Native to: Endemic to central and south coast of CA, from Monterey to the Santa Monica Mtns;
commonly found on low coastal bluffs below 250 ft. elevation.
Growth characteristics: clumping perennial succulent mature height: < 1 ft. mature width: 2+ ft.
Perennial succulent that begins as a rosette and reproduces by offsets (pups). Each rosette has 1530 fleshy, pale green to blue-green leaves that range in shape from cone-shaped to oblong. Foliage
very dense-appearing with a little water.
Blooms in spring to early summer – April to July. Flowers borne on a tall
inflorescence which may hold 10 or 15 flowers on each of several branches. Flowers yellow; stalks
and floral bracts (cover the petals) are often bright pink. Very showy – flowers tower above foliage.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Makes a wonderful groundcover plant, particularly in sandy soils and along
coast. Good choice for slopes that get some afternoon shade. Pretty in a container.
long-lived species – does well in inland gardens if given a little shade.
Very tough,
Sensible substitute for: Non-native succulents.
Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides nectar for hummingbirds and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun along coast; some afternoon shade further inland.
Well-drained soils, including sandy; fine with most local pH, including alkali.
Looks best with occasional summer water – Zone 1-2/
¼ strength once a year for container-grown plants.
Use an inorganic mulch, if any.
Pretty carefree with good drainage; plant on a berm/rocky berm in clay soils.
Beware of snails, slugs. Don’t over-water.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed, slow
by offsets: yes, in spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 6, 11, 13, 25
2/29/12
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