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Lanceleaf Liveforever

Dudleya lanceolata

true

1 gallon

Lanceleaf Liveforever

In stock

6"x12"

Sizes:

Lanceleaf Dudleya – Dudleya lanceolata
Also known as: Lanceleaf Liveforever

Lanceleaf Dudleya is a rosette-forming succulent native to coastal, central, and southern California, extending into northern Baja California. It thrives in dry, rocky habitats, often seen clinging to cliff faces, outcrops, and slopes in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and desert transition zones. While more common in coastal areas, it is adaptable to inland and low desert gardens with good drainage and appropriate placement.

This striking perennial features fleshy, pointed leaves that range from flat and spade-like to longer and thicker depending on site conditions. These bluish- or gray-green leaves form compact rosettes just 3–4 inches above the soil surface. In spring to early summer, upright stalks rise up to 2 feet tall, bearing branching clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, red, or orange. These vivid blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds and bumblebees, providing nectar when few other succulents are in flower.

Lanceleaf Dudleya is well-suited for containers, rock gardens, stacked walls, and dry slopes. It tolerates full sun in coastal climates and light or dappled shade in hotter inland areas. While it can adapt to clay soils if drainage is excellent, it performs best in sandy, gravelly, or decomposed granite soils. To avoid crown rot, plant rosettes at a slight angle to encourage water to drain away from the center. Like many Dudleyas, it goes dormant in summer—during this time, avoid watering unless grown in sandy soils or containers.

This long-lived and visually distinctive species is part of a genus that is increasingly threatened in the wild by poaching. All Dudleya species should be sourced responsibly from ethical nurseries.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Verified for hummingbirds (especially Anna’s Hummingbird Calypte anna) and native bumblebees (including Bombus vosnesenskii)
Bird Resources: Nectar
Bird Species: Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Bees: Native bumblebees (e.g., Yellow-faced Bumblebee Bombus vosnesenskii)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Filtered Sun

Mature size:

6"x12"

Growth rate:

Slow

Flower color:

Orange; Pink; Red; Yellow

Flower season:

Spring; Summer

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

25 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.