Species Arctic Rockcress
white flowers with yellow stamens, green leaves and stems

Arctic Rockcress

Arabidopsis arenosa subsp. arenosa

Arctic Rockcress (Arabidopsis arenosa subsp. arenosa) is a hardy, low-growing subarctic and boreal plant. It is commonly found in the Arctic, the Arctic tundra and Arctic fells. Its succulent leaves, in a distinctive arrowhead-shape, grow to a height of up to 16 inches. Its beautiful four-petaled, white flowers, have been described as “fairy lamps”, and its distinctive three-parted seed capsule often contains hundreds of black seeds. It is drought and salt-tolerant and can adapt to a wide range of conditions, from wet, nutrient-rich meadows to dry, infertile areas. Arctic Rockcress is a valuable resource for pollinators in the Arctic, providing much needed nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Arctic Rockcress should be watered regularly to ensure it is adequately hydrated but care should be taken to not overwater. Water the plant when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch, or about once every 2-3 days, being sure to water fully until moisture runs out of the bottom of the pot. During the warmest months of the year (typically May through September) increase watering if needed to keep the soil from drying out. If the climate is very dry during the summer months, water your Arctic Rockcress more often than 2-3 days.

sunlight

Arctic rockcress (Arabidopsis arenosa subsp. arenosa) grows best in areas that receive full sun for most of the day. During the summer months, plants should have between 7 and 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. From early spring to late fall, Arctic rockcress should receive full sun, while during the winter months, plants should have partial to light shade in order to protect them from the cold. The amount of sunlight that a plant receives can also depend on the site and its position relative to other hills and mountains. It is important to monitor the plant's environment in order to make sure that it is receiving enough direct sunlight throughout the year.

pruning

Arctic rockcress should be lightly pruned at any time from early summer through early fall. The best time is mid-August. Make sure to only prune off dead, damaged, or cross-growing branches. To avoid poor shape, take off no more than 1 third of the shoots. Prune close to the branch at an angle that directs the shoot away from the plant's center. Pruning taller shoots down to knee level can help keep the plant in bounds. Be careful not to damage the plant’s stems as the wounds could allow infection by fungi or bacteria.