Bluff lettuce
Dudleya farinosa
Care
part shade
very low
Fast; Rocky cliffs, very well draining rocky slopes.
0–0ft tall , 0–1ft wide
Jun-Aug
Deciduous
Friendly
Leaves eaten fresh or cooked; traditional Indigenous food.
Coastal bluffs from Santa Cruz County to Los Angeles County, below 500 ft elevation in coastal scrub and bluff habitat.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant bluff lettuce in very well-draining soil - think rocky, fast-draining conditions like you'd find on coastal bluffs. Choose a spot with full sun or part shade; it will tolerate partial shade fine. Space plants about 6–12 inches apart if planting multiples, though this plant thrives in containers and rock walls, so pot culture works beautifully for Bay Area gardens. Plant in spring for best establishment.
After Planting
Water moderately through the first growing season to help roots establish, then dial back to once a month or less during summer once established. This is a dry-season plant that actually shows its best colors - striking reds - when stressed by drought, so resist the urge to overwater; soggy soil is the main killer. Year one focus is drainage and light; once it's settled in by year two, it becomes practically hands-off. Expect it to flower in summer with pale to bright yellow blooms that hummingbirds love.
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Early spring foraging on coastal bluff populations
Caterpillars feed on leaves; multiple generations spring through fall
Spring foraging resource during colony establishment
Early season pollen source for nesting females
Mammals
Grazes on basal leaves and rosettes; preferred in dry season