Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Fingertips (Dudleya edulisis a slow-growing succulent, also known as string bean plant, lady fingers, and dead man’s fingers. The plant forms a cushion of upright, fleshy, finger-like leaves that grow from just below ground level, reaching 8 inches to 1 foot tall. The leaves are pale green or yellow-green, and their tips often turn orange or red during the summer. In spring, it produces branching clusters of small, white flowers on stems above the foliage.

Extremely drought-tolerant, fingertips is ideal for containers or rock gardens. It thrives in sun to part shade and well-draining soil. This plant attracts hummingbirds and hosts some butterflies and moths.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Succulent

Size

4 - 8 in Tall
1 ft Wide

Form

Fountain

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

None

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Color

Pink, Cream, White

Flowering season

Summer, Spring

Special uses

Containers, Groundcover

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low, Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 10° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium

Soil description

While it appears to be tolerant of a variety garden soils, it is found in the wild almost entirely in sandstone soils.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0

Propagation

Propagation by seed is difficult as the seeds are very fine and dust-like. For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

14, 15*, 16*, 17*, 19, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Sandstone bluffs, marine terraces, rocky slopes, ledges, canyons and mesas on the coastal side of the mountains of San Diego, Orange and Riverside Counties; especially common in close proximity to the coast

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Scrub, Lowland Chaparral, Maritime Desert Scrub, Southern Coastal Scrub

Hummingbirds
Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 3 likely

Confirmed Likely

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana

Moss' Elfin

Callophrys mossii

Sonoran Blue

Philotes sonorensis