Lyrate Rockcress
Arabidopsis lyrata
Last reviewed: August 2026
Arabidopsis lyrata is a low-growing forb that blooms with small white flowers from April through June, favoring rocky outcrops, sandy soils, and partly sunny sites in the eastern and midwestern United States.
Toxicity unknown
Lyrate Rockcress (Arabidopsis lyrata) 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.
Light
part sun
Water
low
Size
4"–12" H × 4"–8" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AL, CT, DE, GA and 21 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
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Arabidopsis lyrata is a small native wildflower that forms low rosettes of deeply lobed leaves. It produces delicate white four-petaled flowers on slender stems from April through June, creating an airy display in spring.
Growing Lyrate Rockcress
Grow Lyrate Rockcress in part sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Lyrate 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 size makes it appear weedy
- Informal wildflower appearance
- May go dormant and disappear mid-season
Wildlife value
The flowers attract small native bees and beetles during its spring blooming period. This early-season nectar source is valuable when few other plants are flowering.
Common questions
- When does Arabidopsis lyrata bloom?
- It flowers from April through June, producing small white four-petaled blossoms on thin stems above a basal rosette of leaves.
- What growing conditions suit Arabidopsis lyrata best?
- It grows well in part sun with low water needs, often rooting in thin, rocky, or sandy soils where taller plants have trouble competing.
- What insects visit Arabidopsis lyrata flowers?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors during its spring bloom, feeding on and pollinating the small white flowers.
- Does Arabidopsis lyrata keep its leaves in winter?
- Its basal leaf rosette often stays green through mild winters, so it behaves more like a semi-evergreen than a fully deciduous plant.
- Is Lyrate Rockcress HOA-friendly?
- Lyrate Rockcress takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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
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