Arabis alpina aka Alpine Rockcress

Taxonomy ID: 11338

Arabis alpina, also known as Alpine rock-cress or mountain rock-cress, is a small, mat-forming, evergreen herbaceous perennial. Belonging to the family Brassicaceae, it can be found in mountainous regions across Europe, North and East Africa, Central and Eastern Asia, and parts of North America. However, in the British Isles, it is limited to a few locations within the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. This plant thrives in damp gravels and screes, often preferring limestone. With its loose rosettes of toothed, mid-green leaves, Arabis alpina produces fragrant, white, four-petalled flowers in late spring. It typically grows to a height of 8-10 inches but can spread to 20 inches wide or even more, forming tufts and creating a beautiful, evergreen ground cover.

Common names

Alpine Rockcress, Alpine Eared Rockcress, Alpine Wall Cress

More information about Alpine Rockcress

How difficult is it to take care of Alpine Rockcress

Caring for Alpine Rockcress is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

What is the region of origin of Alpine Rockcress

Alpine Rockcress’s native range is Europe. In Britain it is only found on the Isle of Skye[17].

What are the water needs for Alpine Rockcress

Alpine Rockcress should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Alpine Rockcress

Alpine Rockcress loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

What is the sunlight requirement for Alpine Rockcress

To ensure optimal growth, the Alpine Rockcress prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Is Alpine Rockcress toxic to humans/pets?

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

What's the dormancy for Alpine Rockcress

During the cold period, it is common for Alpine Rockcress to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

More info:
Wikipedia