Arabis macdonaldiana Plant Care
Arabis macdonaldiana Eastw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Arabis mcdonaldiana is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common name McDonald's rockcress. It is native to northern California and Oregon, where it grows on newly exposed, barren serpentine soils in openings in temperate coniferous forest habitat.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Arabis macdonaldiana?
Water Arabis macdonaldiana 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 Arabis macdonaldiana Native To?
What Is the Arabis macdonaldiana?
Arabis macdonaldiana (Arabis macdonaldiana) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Arabis genus. Arabis macdonaldiana is native to northern California and Oregon.
Arabis macdonaldiana displays a low-growing spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Arabis macdonaldiana produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Arabis macdonaldiana?
Arabis macdonaldiana 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 Arabis macdonaldiana Need?
Arabis macdonaldiana thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Arabis macdonaldiana Prefer?
Arabis macdonaldiana grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Arabis macdonaldiana prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arabis macdonaldiana?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Arabis macdonaldiana to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Arabis macdonaldiana?
Feed Arabis macdonaldiana 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 Arabis macdonaldiana?
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 Arabis macdonaldiana?
Arabis macdonaldiana can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine rockcress plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Arabis macdonaldiana Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Arabis macdonaldiana, 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 Arabis macdonaldiana?
Arabis macdonaldiana 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 Arabis macdonaldiana Need?
Arabis macdonaldiana grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Arabis macdonaldiana is native to northern California and Oregon. In cooler regions, grow Arabis macdonaldiana as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Arabis macdonaldiana 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.
Arabis macdonaldiana 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 macdonaldiana Eastw., family Brassicaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 30: 488 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Arabis macdonaldiana, 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.
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