Repotting guide

When & how to repot Rigid Draba (Draba rigida)

Also called Rigid Draba, Stiff Whitlowgrass.

More about rigid draba

About Rigid Draba

Draba rigida · also called Rigid Draba, Stiff Whitlowgrass · flowering

Rigid Draba is a minute cushion alpine from volcanic and rocky habitats in Turkey and the Caucasus, producing remarkably tight, hard domes of tiny, rigid leaves. Cheerful bright yellow flowers appear in early spring on very short stems. It is among the most compact of all alpine drabas and a favourite for specialist alpine troughs and exhibition work.

Mature size: 5–8 cm tall in flower; 10–20 cm wide over many years

How to tell rigid draba needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For rigid draba, 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 rigid draba

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Rigid Draba's growth habit — extremely compact, rigid cushion-forming evergreen alpine perennial; one of the hardest-cushioned drabas, to 3–5 cm tall at rest. very slow-growing. — sets the pace. Rigid Draba is a minute cushion alpine from volcanic and rocky habitats in Turkey and the Caucasus, producing remarkably tight, hard domes of tiny, rigid leaves. Cheerful bright yellow flowers appear in early spring on very short stems. It is among the most compact of all alpine drabas and a favourite for specialist alpine troughs and exhibition work.

What size pot to step rigid draba up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Rigid Draba 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 rigid draba

Spring or summer, while rigid draba 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 rigid draba

Repot dry. Do not water rigid draba 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 extremely sharply drained gritty or volcanic alpine mix 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 rigid draba 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 rigid draba 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 rigid draba

Rigid Draba wants extremely sharply drained gritty or volcanic alpine mix. Use a mix of 60% coarse grit or pumice, 20% loam, and 20% leaf mould. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.8–7.5). The species originates in volcanic rock and scree, so open, mineral-rich compost 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 rigid draba — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot rigid draba?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for rigid draba. Repot rigid draba every 2–3 years into a snug pot of extremely sharply drained gritty or volcanic alpine mix, 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 rigid draba need?

When is the best time of year to repot rigid draba?

Should you water rigid draba after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot rigid draba 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 rigid draba after repotting?

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