Nuttall'S Rockcress
Arabis nuttallii
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Nuttall'S Rockcress (Arabis nuttallii) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–12" H × 2"–6" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
ID, MT, UT, WA and 1 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
Nuttall's rockcress is a compact native perennial that forms low mats of small leaves topped with clusters of white flowers in spring. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny locations and requires minimal water once established. It works well as a ground cover in rock gardens or between stepping stones.
In an HOA neighborhood
Nuttall'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 size may appear sparse or unfinished
- Can look dormant or dead outside blooming season
- May be mistaken for weeds by HOA boards
Wildlife value
The spring flowers attract native bees and small butterflies during the early growing season. Its compact size makes it particularly valuable for smaller pollinators that prefer low-growing nectar sources.
Common questions
- How much sun does Nuttall'S Rockcress need?
- Nuttall'S Rockcress grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Nuttall'S Rockcress bloom?
- Nuttall'S Rockcress blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Nuttall'S Rockcress native?
- Nuttall'S Rockcress (Arabis nuttallii) is native to ID, MT, UT, WA and 1 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Nuttall'S Rockcress attract?
- Nuttall'S Rockcress draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Nuttall'S Rockcress HOA-friendly?
- Nuttall'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 Nuttall'S Rockcress? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
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