Rosette Rockcress (Notothlaspi rosulatum)

Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist

Rosette Rockcress Plant Care

Notothlaspi rosulatum Hook.f.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Notothlaspi rosulatum is characterized by its rosette of silver-gray, succulent leaves. Originating from South Africa, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its unique appearance, drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in rocky, arid landscapes.

🌱Herbs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Rosette Rockcress?

Plant Rosette Rockcress in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 7a–8b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Rosette Rockcress Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Rosette Rockcress?

Rosette Rockcress (Notothlaspi rosulatum) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Notothlaspi genus. Rosette Rockcress is native to New Zealand. Rosette Rockcress is also known as Rosulate Penny Cress.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Rosette Rockcress?

Water a young or newly planted Rosette Rockcress every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Rosette Rockcress Need?

Rosette Rockcress thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rosette Rockcress Prefer?

Notothlaspi rosulatum tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Rosette Rockcress prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rosette Rockcress?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Rosette Rockcress?

Feed Rosette Rockcress 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 Rosette Rockcress?

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.

Rosette Rockcress is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 8b.

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 Rosette Rockcress?

Rosette Rockcress 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 Rosette Rockcress?

Prune Rosette Rockcress 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 Rosette Rockcress in Winter?

Rosette Rockcress is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Rosette Rockcress?

Rosette Rockcress can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to australian notothlaspi plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Rosette Rockcress Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Rosette 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 Rosette Rockcress?

Rosette Rockcress 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 Rosette Rockcress Need?

Rosette Rockcress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Rosette Rockcress is native to New Zealand.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 7a – 8b

Keep exploring plants

Rosette 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 Notothlaspi genus — compare its care with other Notothlaspi species on PlantoScan.

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

Rosette Rockcress 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: Notothlaspi rosulatum Hook.f., family Brassicaceae (first published in Handb. N. Zeal. Fl. 1: 15 (1864)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rosette 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: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 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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