Troubleshooting
Hairy Rock-cress problems — and how to fix them
Hairy Rock-cress (Arabis hirsuta) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Crown rot in wet or heavy soils
Persistent moisture around the hairy basal rosette, especially in winter, leads to fungal rotting of the crown; plant in raised beds or rock gardens with gritty, free-draining compost to prevent this.
Flea beetle damage (Phyllotreta species)
As a Brassicaceous plant, small round holes in the leaves may be caused by flea beetles; damage is usually superficial on established plants, but seedlings can be seriously affected — use insect-proof mesh as protection.
Prevent hairy rock-cress problems before they start
Most hairy rock-cress issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Hairy Rock-cress problems — FAQ
Why is my hairy rock-cress crown rot in wet or heavy soils?
Persistent moisture around the hairy basal rosette, especially in winter, leads to fungal rotting of the crown; plant in raised beds or rock gardens with gritty, free-draining compost to prevent this.
Why is my hairy rock-cress flea beetle damage (phyllotreta species)?
As a Brassicaceous plant, small round holes in the leaves may be caused by flea beetles; damage is usually superficial on established plants, but seedlings can be seriously affected — use insect-proof mesh as protection.