Pacific rockcress
Arabis eschscholtziana
Last reviewed: September 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.
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
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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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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.
- 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 Pacific rockcress? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.