Lewisia cotyledon /ˌkɒt.ɪˈliː.dən/
Common name: Cliff maids · Siskiyou lewisia
Lewisia cotyledon is an evergreen perennial succulent native to the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon and northwestern California, where it grows in rocky crevices on north-facing cliffsides. It forms flat rosettes of fleshy, spoon-shaped dark green leaves above a long taproot. From late spring into summer it sends up branching stems of showy, satiny flowers in pinks, oranges, yellows, and whites, often striped or bicolored. It is prized in rock gardens, alpine troughs, and containers for its long bloom season, and most plants in cultivation are colorful garden hybrids.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun in cool climates; light afternoon shade where summers are hot
Water
Water moderately in active growth; keep nearly dry in summer dormancy and wet-free in winter
Soil
Very gritty, sharply drained, low-humus mix; perfect drainage is essential, especially in winter
Hardiness
Zones 4–8
Mature height
10–30 cm (4–12 in)
Pet safe
No known toxicity to cats or dogs; not listed as toxic by the ASPCA
Difficulty
Fussy
Propagation
By seed, or by carefully detaching offsets and basal cuttings in spring
Fun facts
- The genus Lewisia is named for Meriwether Lewis, who collected the first specimens on the Lewis and Clark expedition.
- In the wild it grows wedged into crevices on north-facing cliffs in the Siskiyou Mountains at up to 2,300 m elevation.
- Its succulent leaves let it survive long summer droughts by going dormant, then resuming growth with autumn rains.
- Garden hybrids offer flowers in an unusually wide palette for an alpine plant, from salmon and apricot to magenta and gold.