Roseroot Stonecrop
Rhodiola rosea
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
Alpsdake
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Genus:
- Rhodiola
- Species:
- Rhodiola rosea
- USDA Symbol:
- RHRO3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 35 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, greenish-yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Phoebus Apollo (Parnassius phoebus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in alpine and subarctic regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Succulent stem cuttings are treated with 1000 ppm Hormex rooting powder and struck in moist sand. No intermittent mist is necessary.
Establishment: Herbaceous stem cuttings are taken in late August. Cuttings are 2 to 4 cm in length. S. roseum grows on cliffs, talus, and ridges, generally where it is moist during early summer, in the subalpine to alpine zones. It is found from B.C. to California, east to Alberta, Montana, the Great Lakes region, Maine, and Colorado, Asia and Greenland.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).