Santa Barbara Island liveforever
Dudleya traskiae
Last reviewed: September 2026
Santa Barbara Island liveforever (Dudleya traskiae) is a perennial succulent native to CA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees and flies.
Toxicity unknown
Santa Barbara Island liveforever (Dudleya traskiae) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–20" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, flies
Before you buy
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A large rosette succulent with broad, pale green leaves that sends up a tall branching flower stalk topped with clusters of small star-shaped yellow flowers. It is naturally restricted to a single island.
Growing Santa Barbara Island liveforever
Grow Santa Barbara Island liveforever in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 20 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide.
How to care for Santa Barbara Island liveforever, by region
How to care for Santa Barbara Island liveforever where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.
Care guidance last updated: October 2026
Southern California/Northern Baja Coast (includes Los Angeles, CA)
Year-round
Santa Barbara Island live forever is a small, rare succulent that does well in a pot or rock garden with sharp drainage and very little water.
- Only buy nursery-propagated plants, never wild-collected ones.
- It is a rare Channel Islands plant and is not a local Los Angeles species.
- Use fast-draining gravelly soil in full sun or part shade.
- Water no more than about once a month once established.
Fall
Fall is a calm season. Keep water minimal and tidy any spent flower stalks.
- Trim dry flower stalks at the base.
- Water sparingly until winter rain arrives.
- Keep gravelly soil open and free of debris.
Winter
Winter rain in Los Angeles can be too much for this plant, so drainage matters most.
- Skip extra watering when rain is falling.
- Move pots to a spot with shelter from long wet spells.
- Keep the rosette from sitting in standing water.
Spring
Spring brings yellow flowers and is a good time to check drainage.
- Flowers can begin as early as mid-February and often peak May through July.
- Keep soil dry between occasional waterings.
- Make sure pots drain freely.
Summer
Summer is the time to water least, about once a month at most for established plants.
- Give a light drink no more than monthly once established.
- Part shade can help during the hottest days.
- Avoid watering overhead onto the rosette.
Sources: Calscape - Dudleya traskiae, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Dudleya traskiae
Wildlife value
Flowers provide nectar for native bees and other small pollinating insects.
Common questions
- How much sun does Santa Barbara Island liveforever need?
- Santa Barbara Island liveforever grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Santa Barbara Island liveforever bloom?
- Santa Barbara Island liveforever blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Santa Barbara Island liveforever native?
- Santa Barbara Island liveforever (Dudleya traskiae) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Santa Barbara Island liveforever attract?
- Santa Barbara Island liveforever draws bees and flies.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Santa Barbara Island liveforever? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.