Repotting guide

When & how to repot Woolly Rock Jasmine (Androsace lanuginosa)

Also called Woolly Rock Jasmine, Lanuginose Androsace.

More about woolly rock jasmine

About Woolly Rock Jasmine

Androsace lanuginosa · also called Woolly Rock Jasmine, Lanuginose Androsace · flowering

Woolly Rock Jasmine is a trailing, silver-hairy alpine perennial from the Himalayas, forming long, lax stems covered in silky woolly rosettes. From midsummer into autumn it bears umbels of pale lavender-pink to deep rose flowers, making it one of the longer-flowering Androsace species. Ideal for dry walls, rock garden cascading positions, and raised troughs.

Mature size: 10–15 cm tall, trailing 30–50 cm or more

How to tell woolly rock jasmine needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For woolly 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 woolly rock jasmine

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Woolly Rock Jasmine's growth habit — trailing or procumbent perennial with elongated silver-hairy stems; not a tight cushion — sets the pace. Woolly Rock Jasmine is a trailing, silver-hairy alpine perennial from the Himalayas, forming long, lax stems covered in silky woolly rosettes. From midsummer into autumn it bears umbels of pale lavender-pink to deep rose flowers, making it one of the longer-flowering Androsace species. Ideal for dry walls, rock garden cascading positions, and raised troughs.

What size pot to step woolly 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. Woolly 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 woolly rock jasmine

Spring or summer, while woolly 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 woolly rock jasmine

Repot dry. Do not water woolly 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 well-drained gritty loam 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 woolly 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 woolly 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 woolly rock jasmine

Woolly Rock Jasmine wants well-drained gritty loam. A mix of equal parts loam, coarse grit, and horticultural sand is suitable. Neutral to slightly acidic pH (5.5–7.0). Tolerates slightly more organic matter than high-altitude species. Plant in a cascading position over a wall or rock face to benefit from natural drainage and good air movement around the silvery foliage. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting woolly rock jasmine — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot woolly rock jasmine?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for woolly rock jasmine. Repot woolly rock jasmine every 2–3 years into a snug pot of well-drained gritty loam, 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 woolly rock jasmine need?

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

Should you water woolly rock jasmine after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot woolly 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 woolly rock jasmine after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting woolly 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.