Dudleya brittonii aka Britton's Dudleya

Dudleya brittonii is an evergreen succulent in the Crassulaceae family. Its common names include giant chalk dudleya and Britton's dudleya. It comes from northwestern Baja California in Mexico. There, it grows near the Pacific coast on cliffs, bluffs, and canyon slopes. Its roots grow in volcanic rock and other porous soils. This habitat has wet winters and very dry summers.

The plant forms a single rosette above a short, stout stem. Old leaves stay on the stem as they die. The rosette usually spans 1–1.5 feet [0.3–0.45 metres]. Larger plants can reach about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] across. The RHS gives a garden height and spread of 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Plants stay smaller in pots and grow slowly. They take about five to ten years to reach full size.

The thick leaves range from spoon-shaped to narrow and pointed. They grow 0.5–0.75 feet [0.15–0.225 metres] long. A waxy coat gives them their white or silver-grey look. This coat reflects light, including ultraviolet rays. Some plants have less wax and look greener. Pale yellow flowers open from late winter into spring. Their bright red to pink stems contrast with the pale leaves. RHS reports flower stems reaching 2–3 feet [0.6–0.9 metres]. LLIFLE gives a lower flower-stem height of about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres].

Grow this plant in full sun or lightly filtered light. Give it shelter and soil that drains very freely. Sandy or gravelly soil suits it well. Under glass, use peat-free cactus compost or loam-based compost with extra sharp sand. Water moderately while the plant grows. Withhold water during its summer rest, and stop feeding then. Reduce winter watering under glass in the UK. During active growth, RHS advises monthly low-nitrogen feed in spring and early autumn. Its H3 rating suits mild and coastal parts of the UK.

This plant suits patio pots, conservatories, and gardens with mild winters and dry summers. Its pale rosette and bright flower stems provide contrast in container displays. It needs no pruning. Sow seed in early spring or take stem cuttings from spring through summer. Watch for mealybugs when growing it under glass. Disease causes few problems when drainage and watering suit its needs. Watering during dormancy can cause rot at the base.