Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Dudleya greenei, also known as Greene’s liveforever or Greene’s dudleya, is an attractive plant with succulent foliage and colorful flowers, which makes it an ideal candidate for many types of terrariums, both indoors and outdoors.
Native to California’s coast and inland mountains, it also makes an excellent addition to areas with similar Mediterranean climates and can be used as a ground cover in other regions of the United States as well. It requires little care once established, but there are some things you can do to improve its chances of survival when you first bring it home.
Whether you prefer to keep this houseplant outdoors in the summer or enjoy it as a potted plant year-round, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing what you can to ensure its long-term health and growth.
Follow these care tips on caring for Dudleya greenei to help you provide your plant with optimal conditions and have it around to delight you with its beauty year after year.
Origin and distribution
Dudleya greenei is a succulent plant native to the western United States. It is found in California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. The plant grows in rocky habitats, such as cliffs and canyon walls. Dudleya greenei gets its common name from its ability to retain water in its leaves, which helps it survive in dry conditions.
The plant is a member of the Crassulaceae family, which are also known as stonecrops. It prefers full sun exposure with well-drained soil that has plenty of organic material mixed in with sand or gravel. Avoid overwatering by giving your plant a nice soak once every two weeks or so.
To keep the plant looking good, you’ll need to trim off dead leaves at least once every two months. If possible, fertilize your Dudleya greenei every other month with a diluted houseplant fertilizer formula (1/4 strength). Keep in mind that these plants are sensitive to extreme temperatures and should be brought indoors during cold winter months.
Dudleya greenei propagation
Dudleya greenei can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds in a well-draining cactus mix and keep them moist until they germinate. To propagate by stem cuttings, take a cutting from a healthy plant and allow the wound to callous over before planting it in a well-draining cactus mix.
Use a rooting hormone if you’re having trouble getting the cutting to root. You can also take leaf cuttings from Dudleya greenei plants that are about six inches tall and use those for propagation instead of stems.
Allow the leaves to dry out first then place each one on top of some damp sphagnum moss and cover with clear plastic wrap. Place this in a warm spot and check back periodically.
When roots appear poke holes into the clear plastic wrap so that water can reach all parts of the new baby plant. Once the new plant is established, remove it from the clear plastic wrap and pot it up. Remember to fertilize your Dudleya greenei every two weeks during the growing season with a good-quality fertilizer designed for succulents.
Dudleya greenei care information
Dudleya greenei, or Greene’s liveforever, is a succulent that grows in rocky, coastal areas and has long, fleshy leaves that grow in a rosette pattern. The plant gets its common name from its ability to store water in its leaves, which helps it survive in dry conditions. Dudleya greenei is easy to care for and makes a great addition to any succulent collection.
Light requirement
Dudleya greenei, or Greene’s Liveforever, is a succulent native to California. It prefers full sun to partial shade, and can tolerate some light shade. The morning sun is best to prevent the leaves from burning. This plant is drought-tolerant but will appreciate some supplemental water during the hottest months of summer.
Soil/potting mix
A well-draining potting mix is essential for Dudleya greenei. They are native to areas with a lot of sun and little water, so a cactus or succulent potting mix will work well. Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes to avoid root rot.
You can place rocks in the bottom of the pot if needed to help improve drainage. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Make sure the plant doesn’t dry out during the winter months when it goes dormant.
Watering
Dudleyas are drought-tolerant plants that store water in their succulent leaves. They can go long periods of time without water but will start to wilt and lose color if they are too dry.
When watering, allow the soil to dry out completely before giving the plant a good soaking. Too much water can cause the plant to rot. To prevent this, make sure there is plenty of drainages. A layer of gravel or pebbles at the bottom will help with this issue.
Fertilizer
Dudleya greenei are light feeders that don’t require much fertilizer. A general-purpose fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 can be used. Apply the fertilizer in the spring when new growth appears.
Be sure to water the plant well before and after applying fertilizer to avoid burning your plant. Fertilizer should only be applied once a year unless the plant has been neglected for an extended period of time.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for Dudleya greenei is between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate short periods of colder temperatures, but prolonged exposure to cold will damage the leaves.
In terms of light, they prefer bright indirect sunlight but can also do well in partial shade. If the light is too low, the leaves will become etiolated and if the light is too harsh, the leaves will get sunburned.
Humidity
Dudleya greenei requires high humidity to thrive. If the air around your plant is too dry, the leaves will start to droop and the plant will become stressed. To increase the humidity, you can mist your plant daily or set it on a pebble tray filled with water.
Just make sure that the pot isn’t sitting in water, as this can lead to root rot.
The ideal humidity level is between 50-70% RH. If there are any windows near your dudleya, consider opening them if they’re closed up tight. You can also use a humidifier if necessary.
Pruning
Dudleya greenei, or Greene’s liveforever, is a beautiful succulent that is native to California. This plant is known for its ability to thrive in hot, dry climates and its striking blue-green leaves.
While dudleya greenei is a tough plant, it does require some care to keep it looking its best. Pruning is one of the most important aspects of care for this plant.
Here are some tips on how to prune your dudleya greenei:
- Make sure you have sharp tools with you, like pruners and scissors.
- Cut back any dead or dying leaves from the stem of the plant at least an inch from where they branch off from the stem; if possible, try to cut at a 45 degree angle so there is less chance for bleeding.
- Cut back any long branches with stems growing horizontally outwards; trim these branches back so they are no longer than 2 inches tall.
- Try not to remove more than one-third of the total height of the plant at once.
When to repot
Dudleyas are slow growers and can stay in the same pot for several years. They like to be slightly pot-bound, so only repot when the plant is outgrowing its current container. Be sure to use a well-draining potting mix and choose a pot that is only one size larger than the current one.
Dormancy/Winter rest
Dudleyas are very drought tolerant, but will go dormant if they do not receive enough water. They will lose their leaves and enter a state of semi-hibernation. To prevent this, make sure to water your Dudleya at least once a week during the winter months.
If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, you may need to water more frequently. Dudleyas can be planted as soon as the ground is workable in early spring and watered every few days.
As warmer weather approaches, keep watering sparingly until new growth starts. At that point, it is safe to increase the frequency of watering again.
Dudleya greenei flower & fragrance
The Dudleya greenei, or Greene’s Liveforever, is a beautiful succulent that produces small, white flowers. It is native to California and can be found in the wild in rocky areas or on cliffs. The Dudleya greenei is a drought-tolerant plant that does not require much water to thrive.
Growth rate
Dudleya greenei is a slow-growing succulent that can reach up to 12 inches in height.
Toxicity
All parts of the Dudleya greenei plant are poisonous if ingested, and the sap can cause skin irritation. The plant contains oxalates which can cause burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal distress if ingested.
If the sap comes into contact with skin, it can cause redness, itching, and blistering. The plant is also poisonous to animals, so keep it out of reach of pets and children.
USDA hardiness zones
Dudleya greenei thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 8-10. It can be grown indoors or outdoors, but it is more susceptible to cold weather than other succulents. In order to grow it outside, it should be planted in a container that has drainage holes and set inside a raised bed for improved drainage.
Pests and diseases
Dudleya greenei is a hardy succulent that is resistant to most pests and diseases. However, mealybugs and scale can occasionally be a problem. If you see any pests, simply wipe them off with a damp cloth or spray them with water. For diseases, watch out for rot, which can occur if the plant is kept too wet.
Brown spots on leaves are often an indication of overwatering. To remedy this, move the pot to a drier location or use less water in the soil mix. If rot has already set in, prune away affected parts of the plant above where it started and replace potting mix to help avoid future problems.
