Holboell's Rockcress
Arabis holboellii
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Holboell's Rockcress (Arabis holboellii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Holboell's Rockcress as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–16" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA, CO, ID, KS and 8 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Holboell's rockcress is a low-growing perennial that forms compact mats of small leaves topped with clusters of tiny white or pale pink flowers in spring. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny locations and rocky or well-drained soils. It naturally occurs at higher elevations and adapts well to xeric garden conditions.
In an HOA neighborhood
Holboell's Rockcress takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Very small flowers and leaves create informal appearance
- May go dormant in summer heat looking sparse
- Growth habit too wild for formal landscaping
Wildlife value
The spring flowers provide nectar for native bees and early butterflies when few other plants are blooming. Small birds may eat the seeds later in the season.
Common questions
- How much sun does Holboell's Rockcress need?
- Holboell's Rockcress grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Holboell's Rockcress bloom?
- Holboell's Rockcress blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Holboell's Rockcress native?
- Holboell's Rockcress (Arabis holboellii) is native to CA, CO, ID, KS and 8 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Holboell's Rockcress toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Holboell's Rockcress as toxic to livestock.
- What pollinators does Holboell's Rockcress attract?
- Holboell's Rockcress draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Holboell's Rockcress HOA-friendly?
- Holboell's Rockcress takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Holboell's Rockcress? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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