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Rock Cress

Arabis lyratafam. Brassicaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
ediblebiennial, perennialculinaryedibleedible leaf
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Arabis lyrata (Rock Cress) — botanical photograph
Pl. A034 — Arabis lyrata
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I

Overview

Rock Cress, scientifically known as Arabis lyrata, is a biennial or perennial plant native to Romania and now widely distributed across various regions including Alabama, Alaska, Austria, and many others. This hardy species thrives in full sun to partial shade and can adapt to diverse soil types, including light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils. It prefers dry to moist conditions and grows up to 0.3 meters tall. Rock Cress is particularly notable for its edible leaves, which are suitable for use in salads or as a cooked green vegetable. The distinctive lyre-shaped leaves set it apart from other members of the Brassicaceae family. Rock Cress has been introduced into numerous regions such as Alaska, Austria, British Columbia, and many more, making it a versatile addition to gardens and landscapes where it can provide both ornamental value and culinary interest. Its adaptability and hardiness in zones 4-8 make it a valuable plant for gardeners looking to add variety and resilience to their outdoor spaces. While primarily used as an edible plant, Rock Cress also offers aesthetic appeal with its unique leaf shape, making it a worthwhile choice for both practical and ornamental purposes.

Quick answers

What is Rock Cress?

Rock Cress, scientifically known as Arabis lyrata, is a biennial or perennial plant native to Romania and now widely distributed across various regions including Alabama, Alaska, Austria, and many others.

Compare with:Desert Pepperweed→Flowering sea kale→Arabis serrata→all comparisons →
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Rock Cress thrives in full to partial sun and prefers well-drained soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is drought-tolerant but also grows well in moist conditions. This biennial or perennial plant is hardy in zones 4-8 and reaches a height of about 0.3 meters. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist during dry periods while avoiding waterlogged areas. Harvest its edible leaves for culinary use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Biennial, Perennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Rock Cress for the first time

8steps

Rock Cress is a hardy, low-maintenance plant perfect for beginners.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or small plants, a garden fork, and a trowel.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and prepare by loosening the top layer.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, about 2 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart; or transplant young plants into prepared soil.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep the soil moist until germination. Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart once they have several leaves.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Provide full sun or partial shade, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Mulch around plants to retain moisture.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms and remove any yellowing leaves to keep the plant healthy.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil, neglecting to thin seedlings, and not providing enough sunlight.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Rock Cress leaves are edible and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a green vegetable. They are also suitable for drying to preserve their flavor for later use.
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

68 native · 67 introduced
Distribution across3 continents· 68 native· 67 introduced
Europe25 regions
native (13)AustriaFinlandGermanyHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyNorwayRomaniaRussiaSwedenUkraineUnited Kingdom
introduced (12)AustriaFinlandGermanyHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyNorwayRussiaSwedenUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia10 regions
native (5)ChinaGeorgiaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwan
introduced (5)ChinaGeorgiaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwan
Americas2 regions
native (1)United States
introduced (1)United States
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Amur, British Columbia, Buryatiya, Chita, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Føroyar, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Magadan, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northwest Territorie, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Yakutskiya, Yukon
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Amur, British Columbia, Buryatiya, Chita, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Føroyar, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Magadan, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northwest Territorie, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Yakutskiya, Yukon
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Arabis lyrata (Rock Cress) — botanical photograph
Rock Cress (Arabis lyrata)
X

See also

8 related
XI

Explore further

Companion planting
Growing zone
XII

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