How far apart should I plant Aubrieta?

About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).

Does Aubrieta need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Aubrieta need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Aubrieta?

It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.

When does Aubrieta flower?

From about March for 5–8 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Aubrieta poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.

What grows well with Aubrieta?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Aubrieta Aubrieta deltoidea

Aubrieta (Aubrieta deltoidea) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Brassicaceae family, native to Balkans, Greece and Turkey (limestone rocks). It grows 5–15 cm (2–6 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.

Plan Aubrieta in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Aubrieta at a glance

Type	Perennial groundcover, evergreen
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	5–15 cm (2–6 in)
Mature spread	40–60 cm (16–24 in)
Spacing	35 cm (14 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	6.5–8.5
Cold hardiness	About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4)
Heat stress	Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F)
Flowering	from about March for 5–8 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Moderate
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	Balkans, Greece and Turkey (limestone rocks)
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France

Is Aubrieta toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Aubrieta

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

See Aubrieta in a botanical garden

It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden (8 plants)
Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (16 plants)
Denver Botanic Gardens (16 plants)
New York Botanical Garden (16 plants)
Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (7 plants)

Questions about Aubrieta

How far apart should I plant Aubrieta?: About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
Does Aubrieta need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Aubrieta need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Aubrieta?: It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
When does Aubrieta flower?: From about March for 5–8 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Aubrieta poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
What grows well with Aubrieta?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Notes and assumptions

Classic wall and rock-garden mat; trim after flowering to keep it compact. An early food for bees.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes