Rock cress Plant Care
Arabis aculeolata Greene
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Arabis aculeolata is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common name Waldo rockcress.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Rock cress?
Water Rock cress every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Rock cress?
Rock cress (Arabis aculeolata) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Arabis genus.
Rock cress displays a low-growing spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Rock cress produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Rock cress?
Arabis aculeolata requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Rock cress Need?
Rock cress thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rock cress Prefer?
Arabis aculeolata grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Rock cress prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rock cress?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Rock cress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Rock cress?
Feed Rock cress every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Rock cress?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Rock cress?
Rock cress can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine rockcress plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Rock cress Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Rock cress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Rock cress?
Rock cress is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Rock cress Need?
Rock cress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Rock cress as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Rock cress is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Arabis genus — compare its care with other Arabis species on PlantoScan.
Arabis is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Rock cress thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Arabis Species
Other Arabis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Arabis aculeolata Greene, family Brassicaceae (first published in Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 69 (1910)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rock cress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Rock cress Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species