Greenland Cochlearia Plant Care

Cochlearia groenlandica L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cochlearia groenlandica, known in English as polar scurvygrass or Greenland scurvy-grass, is a flowering plant of the scurvy-grass genus in the cabbage family.

🌱Herbs
Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

45–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Greenland Cochlearia?

Plant Greenland Cochlearia in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 11b) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 45–75°F (7–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Greenland Cochlearia?

Greenland Cochlearia (Cochlearia groenlandica) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Cochlearia genus.

Greenland Cochlearia displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Greenland Cochlearia produces small white or yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Greenland Cochlearia?

Water a young or newly planted Greenland Cochlearia 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 3–5 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Greenland Cochlearia Need?

Greenland Cochlearia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Greenland Cochlearia Prefer?

Cochlearia groenlandica tolerates temperatures of 45–75°F. Greenland Cochlearia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

45–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Greenland Cochlearia?

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Greenland Cochlearia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Greenland Cochlearia?

Feed Greenland Cochlearia 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Greenland Cochlearia?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Greenland Cochlearia is suited to USDA Zone 11b.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Greenland Cochlearia?

Greenland Cochlearia can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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.

How Do You Prune a Greenland Cochlearia?

Prune Greenland Cochlearia 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.

How Do You Care for a Greenland Cochlearia in Winter?

Greenland Cochlearia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Greenland Cochlearia?

Greenland Cochlearia can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to english scurvygrass plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Greenland Cochlearia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Greenland Cochlearia, 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 Greenland Cochlearia?

Greenland Cochlearia 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Greenland Cochlearia Need?

Greenland Cochlearia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11b. In cooler regions, grow Greenland Cochlearia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 11b

Keep exploring plants

Greenland Cochlearia 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 Cochlearia genus — compare its care with other Cochlearia species on PlantoScan.

Cochlearia is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.

Greenland Cochlearia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cochlearia groenlandica L., family Brassicaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 647 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Greenland Cochlearia, 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 11b, 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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