Arabidopsis arenosa
Arabidopsis arenosa · Brassicaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant arabidopsis arenosa: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (April to June)
- Mature size
- 20 to 40 cm tall
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20 °C)
- Origin
- Central and Eastern Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light, preferably chalky
Care
Watering
Sand rockcress tolerates drought well once established. Water moderately at planting time and during active growth. Avoid excess moisture, particularly in winter, which promotes root rot.
Light exposure
Place this plant in full sun for optimal flowering and compact growth. It tolerates partial shade but will flower less abundantly and tend to become leggy.
Soil
Prepare light, well-drained soil that is rather poor. Sand rockcress thrives on chalky or neutral substrates. Excess organic matter or fertilizer promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning
Remove spent flowers regularly to extend flowering. You can cut back the plant after flowering to encourage new branching. No drastic pruning is necessary.
Fertilizing
Sand rockcress requires hardly any fertilizer. A light application in spring is more than enough. Soil that is too rich causes excessive foliage growth and reduced flowering.
Pests and diseases
This plant is generally very robust. Watch for root rot if standing moisture occurs. A few aphids may occasionally visit, but this is not serious under normal growing conditions.
Did you know?
Sand rockcress is a close relative of Arabidopsis thaliana, the model plant par excellence in modern genetic research. Thousands of scientific studies have focused on this tiny cousin to decipher the plant genome. Far less famous in gardening, sand rockcress nonetheless deserves attention for its subtle beauty and remarkable hardiness.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- WasabiEutrema japonicum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.