How big does Variegated rock cress grow?

About 10 cm × 30 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 5–20 cm × 15–30 cm.

What soil does Variegated rock cress grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Variegated rock cress hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Variegated rock cress flower?

Flowering: April–June, white.

How much water does Variegated rock cress need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Variegated rock cress

Arabis ferdinandi-coburgi

Variegated rock cress (Arabis ferdinandi-coburgi) is a ground cover plant that reaches 10 cm × 30 cm after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high.

Illustration of Variegated rock cress — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A very low rock garden perennial that forms an evergreen mat of tiny leaf rosettes, splashed yellow or white in the garden forms, with white flowers on short stems above them in spring. It suits gaps between paving stones, rock gardens, troughs and the edge of gravel beds, where it gets plenty of sun and water drains away fast. Remove any plain green, reverted shoots at the base, otherwise they gradually take over from the variegated ones.

Watch out for

It rots out in winter wet and in heavy, damp soil: whether it survives the winter depends more on soil moisture than on cold. Variegated forms now and then produce green shoots that are more vigorous than the variegated ones.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 10 cm × 30 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, white

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	10 cm × 30 cm
Ultimate size	5–20 cm × 15–30 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	April–June, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	20 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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