Repotting guide

When & how to repot Hairy Rock Jasmine (Androsace villosa)

Also called Hairy Rock Jasmine, Villous Androsace.

More about hairy rock jasmine

About Hairy Rock Jasmine

Androsace villosa · also called Hairy Rock Jasmine, Villous Androsace · flowering

Hairy Rock Jasmine is a cushion-forming alpine perennial widespread across mountain ranges from the Alps and Pyrenees to central Asia. Dense silvery-hairy rosettes build compact mounds that in spring are covered with white or pale pink flowers bearing a yellow or pink eye. A reliable and somewhat more adaptable rock garden alpine than some relatives, valued for its attractive silver foliage and drought resilience.

Mature size: 5–10 cm tall, spreading 15–30 cm wide

Watch for — Compacted, sluggish growth in heavy soil: Planted in clay or moisture-retentive soil, the cushion becomes congested and stops expanding. Lift and replant into a properly prepared scree or gritty alpine mix; the root system typically reveals few viable roots when grown in unsuitable conditions.

How to tell hairy rock jasmine needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For hairy rock jasmine, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot hairy rock jasmine

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Hairy Rock Jasmine's growth habit — cushion-forming perennial; compact silver-hairy rosettes building into hemispherical mounds — sets the pace. Hairy Rock Jasmine is a cushion-forming alpine perennial widespread across mountain ranges from the Alps and Pyrenees to central Asia. Dense silvery-hairy rosettes build compact mounds that in spring are covered with white or pale pink flowers bearing a yellow or pink eye. A reliable and somewhat more adaptable rock garden alpine than some relatives, valued for its attractive silver foliage and drought resilience.

What size pot to step hairy rock jasmine up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Hairy Rock Jasmine stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot hairy rock jasmine

Spring or summer, while hairy rock jasmine is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting hairy rock jasmine

Repot dry. Do not water hairy rock jasmine for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty sharply draining gritty alpine scree ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set hairy rock jasmine at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep hairy rock jasmine completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for hairy rock jasmine

Hairy Rock Jasmine wants sharply draining gritty alpine scree. A mix of 60–70% coarse grit or fine gravel with loam and a little leaf mould provides ideal conditions. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5–7.5). The silvery hair on the leaves acts as a moisture buffer, but the root zone must remain freely draining at all times. A grit collar around the crown is beneficial. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting hairy rock jasmine — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot hairy rock jasmine?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for hairy rock jasmine. Repot hairy rock jasmine every 2–3 years into a snug pot of sharply draining gritty alpine scree, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does hairy rock jasmine need?

When is the best time of year to repot hairy rock jasmine?

Should you water hairy rock jasmine after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot hairy rock jasmine into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise hairy rock jasmine after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting hairy rock jasmine. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.