UK compost
What compost for super silver chalk dudleya in the UK?
Dudleya brittonii 'Super Silver'
More about super silver chalk dudleya in the UK
Which compost super silver chalk dudleya needs
For super silver chalk dudleya the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Use roughly 50% succulent/cactus compost, 25% pumice, and 25% coarse orchid bark or perlite. If using only organic potting soil, reverse the mineral-to-soil ratio. Drainage holes are non-negotiable. Shallow wide pots or raised beds are preferred over deep containers.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows super silver chalk dudleya perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Super Silver Chalk Dudleya does not want a rich, water-holding compost — it wants sharp drainage. Cut peat-free multipurpose roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite, and always pot into a container with drainage holes. A "cactus and succulent" bagged mix is a ready-made shortcut.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the super silver chalk dudleya soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Super Silver Chalk Dudleya in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for super silver chalk dudleya in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Use roughly 50% succulent/cactus compost, 25% pumice, and 25% coarse orchid bark or perlite. If using only organic potting soil, reverse the mineral-to-soil ratio. Drainage holes are non-negotiable. Shallow wide pots or raised beds are preferred over deep containers. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for super silver chalk dudleya?
Not on its own — multipurpose compost holds too much water for super silver chalk dudleya and will rot the roots. Cut it roughly 50:50 with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite so it drains fast.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow super silver chalk dudleya perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does super silver chalk dudleya need grit or perlite added?
Yes — super silver chalk dudleya must have sharp drainage. Add about one part horticultural grit or perlite to one part compost, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
What pot and drainage does super silver chalk dudleya need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Very fast-draining succulent mix with high mineral content. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More super silver chalk dudleya care
See the full super silver chalk dudleya care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.