Roseroot Rhodiola rosea
Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Crassulaceae family, native to Arctic and sea cliffs of the northern hemisphere. It grows 15–35 cm (6–14 in) tall and 20–35 cm (8–14 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -50 °C (-58 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Roseroot in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Roseroot at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Mature height | 15–35 cm (6–14 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–35 cm (8–14 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -50 °C (-58 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 1) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: young shoots, root (herbal) |
| Native to | Arctic and sea cliffs of the northern hemisphere |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Roseroot 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 Roseroot
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Roseroot in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (12 plants)
Questions about Roseroot
- How far apart should I plant Roseroot?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–35 cm (8–14 in).
- Does Roseroot need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Roseroot need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Roseroot?
- It tolerates about -50 °C (-58 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 1.
- When does Roseroot flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Roseroot 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 Roseroot?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Roseroot. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Arctic-alpine: needs cold winters with snow cover, cool summers and sharp drainage; struggles in warm, humid lowlands.
- Blue-grey fleshy leaves crowded on stems from a rose-scented rootstock; dioecious.
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
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
- Jade plant Crassula ovata
- Mexican snowball (echeveria) Echeveria elegans
- Common houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
- Ghost plant (mother-of-pearl plant) Graptopetalum paraguayense
- Moonstones (sugared almond plant) Pachyphytum oviferum
- Burro’s tail (donkey’s tail) Sedum morganianum
- Jelly bean plant (pork and beans) Sedum rubrotinctum