How much sun does Pacific rockcress need?

Pacific rockcress grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Pacific rockcress bloom?

Pacific rockcress blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Pacific rockcress native?

Pacific rockcress (Arabis eschscholtziana) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Pacific rockcress host?

Pacific rockcress is a larval host plant for Sara orangetip.

Pacific rockcress

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Arabis eschscholtziana

Last reviewed: November 2026

Pacific rockcress (Arabis eschscholtziana) is a perennial forb native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Pacific rockcress, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Pacific rockcress (Arabis eschscholtziana) 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 × 4"–8" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states

Pollinators

bees

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 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Pacific rockcress.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range

A small rockcress with a basal rosette of narrow leaves and slender flowering stalks bearing loose clusters of pale purple to white four-petaled flowers. It grows tucked into rocky mountain crevices and gravelly slopes.

Growing Pacific rockcress

Grow Pacific rockcress in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for Sara orangetip.

As a mustard-family plant it serves as a larval host for the Sara orangetip butterfly, and its flowers feed small native bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Pacific rockcress need?: Pacific rockcress grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Pacific rockcress bloom?: Pacific rockcress blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Pacific rockcress native?: Pacific rockcress (Arabis eschscholtziana) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Pacific rockcress host?: Pacific rockcress is a larval host plant for Sara orangetip.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Pacific rockcress? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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