Few-flowered Rock-cress (Hornungia pauciflora)

Photo: Karsten RohwederCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Few-flowered Rock-cress Plant Care

Hornungia pauciflora (W.D.J.Koch) Soldano, F.Conti, Banfi & Galasso

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's tiny, lobed leaves form dense mats along rocky slopes and alpine meadows in the mountains of Europe. Its delicate white flowers bloom in clusters, making it a coveted addition for plant collectors seeking unique alpine species to add to their collections.

🌱Herbs
Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Plant Few-flowered Rock-cress in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Few-flowered Rock-cress (Hornungia pauciflora) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Hornungia genus. Few-flowered Rock-cress is native to Europe, Asia.

Few-flowered Rock-cress displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Few-flowered Rock-cress produces small clusters of white or purple flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Water a young or newly planted Few-flowered Rock-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.

Watering Frequency

Every 3–5 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Few-flowered Rock-cress Need?

Few-flowered Rock-cress thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Few-flowered Rock-cress Prefer?

Hornungia pauciflora tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Few-flowered Rock-cress prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Few-flowered Rock-cress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Feed Few-flowered Rock-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.

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 Few-flowered Rock-cress?

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

Few-flowered Rock-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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Few-flowered Rock-cress 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 Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Prune Few-flowered Rock-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.

How Do You Care for a Few-flowered Rock-cress in Winter?

Few-flowered Rock-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.

How Do You Propagate a Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Few-flowered Rock-cress can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to denseflower rockcress plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Few-flowered Rock-cress Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Few-flowered 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 Few-flowered Rock-cress?

Few-flowered Rock-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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Few-flowered Rock-cress Need?

Few-flowered Rock-cress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Few-flowered Rock-cress is native to Europe, Asia. In cooler regions, grow Few-flowered Rock-cress as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Few-flowered 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 Hornungia genus — compare its care with other Hornungia species on PlantoScan.

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

Few-flowered Rock-cress 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: Hornungia pauciflora (W.D.J.Koch) Soldano, F.Conti, Banfi & Galasso, family Brassicaceae (first published in Annot. Checkl. Italian Vasc. Fl. : 20 (2005)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Few-flowered 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.
  • Photo: Karsten Rohweder, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Few-flowered 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species