Repotting guide

When & how to repot Pink Rock Jasmine (Androsace carnea)

Also called Pink Rock Jasmine, Flesh-pink Androsace.

More about pink rock jasmine

About Pink Rock Jasmine

Androsace carnea · also called Pink Rock Jasmine, Flesh-pink Androsace · flowering

Pink Rock Jasmine is a delicate cushion-forming alpine from the Pyrenees and Alps, producing tight mounds of narrow grey-green leaves adorned with clusters of pale to deep pink flowers with yellow eyes in late spring. A prized specimen for alpine troughs, tufa, and rock gardens, it demands excellent drainage, full sun, and moisture-free winters.

Mature size: 3–6 cm tall, spreading 8–15 cm wide

Watch for — Cushion browning in heat: Extended hot, dry periods can cause browning of the central rosettes. Ensure the root run stays cool by planting in tufa or a deep scree bed; a light misting in the cool of the morning can help during extreme summer heat.

How to tell pink rock jasmine needs repotting

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

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for pink rock jasmine) flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

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 pink rock jasmine

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Pink Rock Jasmine is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Tight cushion-forming perennial with small, densely packed rosettes.

What size pot to step pink rock jasmine up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Pink Rock Jasmine positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping pink rock jasmine into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

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 pink rock jasmine

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for pink rock jasmine. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting pink rock jasmine

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide pink rock jasmine out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip pink rock jasmine out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh ultra-sharp draining scree or tufa, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water pink rock jasmine again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for pink rock jasmine

Pink Rock Jasmine wants ultra-sharp draining scree or tufa. Thrives in a mix of 70% coarse granite or limestone grit with 30% loam, or planted directly into drilled tufa rock. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5–7.5). Rich or moisture-retentive mixes are lethal. A grit top-dressing around the collar is essential. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting pink rock jasmine — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot pink rock jasmine?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for pink rock jasmine. Only repot pink rock jasmine every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using ultra-sharp draining scree or tufa. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does pink rock jasmine need?

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

Does pink rock jasmine like to be root-bound?

Yes — pink rock jasmine genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise pink rock jasmine after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting pink 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.