Photo: avocatCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Alpine Rockcress Plant Care
Arabis alpina L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily identified by its dense clusters of small white flowers that cover the mat of dark green foliage. Originating from the mountains of Europe and Asia, Arabis alpina is sought after by plant collectors for its ability to thrive in rocky, alpine environments, making it a unique addition to any garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Alpine Rockcress?
Water Alpine Rockcress 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.
Where Is the Alpine Rockcress Native To?
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- Canada
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uzbekistan
What Is the Alpine Rockcress?
Alpine Rockcress (Arabis alpina) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Arabis genus. Alpine Rockcress is native to mountainous areas of Europe, North and East Africa, Central and Eastern Asia and parts of North America. Alpine Rockcress is also known as Alpine Wall Cress, Snow Cress, Mountain Rockcress.
Alpine Rockcress displays a low-growing spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Alpine Rockcress produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Alpine Rockcress?
Arabis alpina 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 Alpine Rockcress Need?
Alpine Rockcress thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Alpine Rockcress Prefer?
Arabis alpina grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Alpine Rockcress prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Alpine Rockcress?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Alpine Rockcress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Alpine Rockcress?
Feed Alpine Rockcress 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 Alpine Rockcress?
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 Alpine Rockcress?
Alpine Rockcress can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rock cress plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Alpine Rockcress Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Alpine Rockcress, 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 Alpine Rockcress?
Alpine Rockcress 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 Alpine Rockcress Need?
Alpine Rockcress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Alpine Rockcress is native to mountainous areas of Europe, North and East Africa, Central and Eastern Asia and parts of North America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Alpine Rockcress 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.
Alpine Rockcress 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 alpina L., family Brassicaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 664 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Alpine Rockcress, 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.
- Photo: avocat, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
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