White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) Arabis caucasica
White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) (Arabis caucasica) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family, native to Mountains of south-eastern Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus and Iran. It grows 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 cm (4–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 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 | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of south-eastern Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus and Iran |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇹🇷 Turkey |
Is White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
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 White rock cress (Caucasian arabis)
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
Questions about White rock cress (Caucasian arabis)
- How far apart should I plant White rock cress (Caucasian arabis)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is White rock cress (Caucasian arabis)?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) flower?
- From about April for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is White rock cress (Caucasian arabis) 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. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with White rock cress (Caucasian arabis)?
- 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 A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
- A grey, felted mat smothered in fragrant white four-petalled flowers in early spring, tumbling over walls with aubrieta and basket of gold. Shear it after flowering to keep it tight.
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