Thale Cress Plant Care

Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Arabidopsis genus. Thale Cress is native to Eurasia and Africa. Thale Cress is also known as Mouse-ear Cress, Common Wall Cress.

Thale Cress displays a low rosette, compact growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Thale Cress produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Thale Cress every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Thale Cress thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Arabidopsis thaliana tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Thale Cress prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with a slightly acidic pH. Good drainage is essential for Thale Cress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Thale Cress every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with a slightly acidic pH. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Thale Cress is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Thale Cress can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Thale Cress while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Thale Cress is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Thale Cress can be propagated through seeds.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Thale Cress is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Thale Cress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Thale Cress is native to Eurasia and Africa. In cooler regions, grow Thale Cress as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.