Umbilicus rupestris (Wall Pennywort)
- Herman Kraut
- Jan 9
- 4 min read
Common Name: Navelwort, Wall Pennywort, Penny-pies
Scientific Name: Umbilicus rupestris
Plant Family: Crassulaceae
Lifecycle: Perennial
Umbilicus rupestris is a self-seeding wild edible and indicator plant commonly found on stone walls, shaded rocks, and moist microclimates throughout Mediterranean regions. On our land in Zone 8a Portugal, it appeared naturally once we stopped interfering and let regeneration take the lead, making it a perfect example of “growing Umbilicus rupestris in Zone 8a” without planting a single seed. Its mild, succulent leaves are edible raw and quietly signal moisture, shade, and living stone.
For in-depth guides and curated tools, be sure to check out our Recommended Books & Resources below.
Plant Profile
Characteristic | Information |
Climate Suitability | USDA Zones 7–10; Mediterranean, Atlantic, temperate stone-rich microclimates |
Sun / Shade Needs | Partial shade to full shade |
Watering Needs | Low to moderate; prefers ambient moisture |
Soil Preferences | Shallow soils, rock crevices, mossy stone, granite walls |
Spacing & Height | Spreads freely; 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall |
Propagation Method(s) | Self-seeding, offsets, natural spread |
Planting Timeline | Naturally emerges autumn to winter |
Companion Plants | Mosses, ferns, shade herbs, lichens |
Edible / Medicinal / Ecological Uses | Edible leaves, moisture indicator, wall stabilizer |
Pest / Disease Considerations | Virtually none observed |
Pruning / Harvest Notes | Harvest young leaves sparingly |
Quick Plant Reference
Care Level: Easy (hands-off)
Optimal Sunlight: Partial shade to full shade
Water Needs: Low once established
Mature Size: 0.1–0.25 m (0.3–0.8 ft) tall, spreading
Soil Type: Stone, crevices, shallow organic matter
Humidity: Medium
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Beneficial Pollinators: Small flies, native insects
Health Benefits: Mild hydration, traditional wild edible
Chilling Hours: Not required
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Our Umbilicus rupestris Application @ Tough Kraut
We first noticed Wall Pennywort during our very first winter on the land, growing quietly along a granite stone wall beside the neighboring stream. A visiting neighbor later mentioned it was edible, and since then, after allowing beds and wild areas to regenerate without interference, Umbilicus rupestris has appeared across dozens of locations—stone walls, mossy patches, shaded tree bases—without us planting or buying a single specimen. It earned its place by showing up where conditions suited it best.
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
1. Choose the Right Site
If you’re trying to encourage Umbilicus rupestris, look for shaded stone, north-facing walls, or moist microclimates. This is not a plant for open, dry beds.
2. Prepare the Soil
No digging required. Cracks in stone, mossy surfaces, or shallow organic debris are enough.
3. Plant the Tree/Plant
In most cases, don’t plant at all. Let local spores and seeds do the work.
4. Water Consistently
Only during establishment if transplanted. Natural rainfall and ambient moisture usually suffice.
5. Ensure Proper Pollination
The plant handles this on its own via small insects and self-seeding habits.
6. Prune Annually
No pruning required. Remove only damaged or excess growth if needed.
7. Manage Pests and Diseases
We have observed zero pest or disease pressure, even in wet winters.
8. Harvest and Store
Harvest young leaves fresh for salads. Best eaten immediately.
9. Note
If it appears uninvited, treat it as a message, not a weed—it’s telling you where moisture and shade accumulate naturally.
Kraut Crew Insight
Wall Pennywort is one of those plants that proves you don’t always need to plant to harvest. Once we stopped managing every corner, it showed up everywhere it belonged. Observation beat intervention—again.
Photos
Herman’s Tough Kraut Field Notes: Solving Wall Pennywort Cultivation Challenges
If you’re troubleshooting Umbilicus rupestris or skimming an FAQ about why it appears in certain places and not others, the short answer is simple: it grows where it wants to, not where you tell it to. Most “problems” are actually mismatches between human expectations and ecological reality.
Wall Pennywort doesn’t respond well to forcing, transplanting into dry beds, or excessive tidying. It thrives when stone, shade, and moisture overlap naturally.
Q: Why does Wall Pennywort only grow on my stone walls and not in garden beds?
A: It’s adapted to shallow substrates and living stone. Deep soil holds too much competition.
Q: Can I intentionally propagate Umbilicus rupestris?
A: Yes, but success is highest when mimicking natural stone crevices rather than pots.
Q: Is Navelwort invasive?
A: No. It spreads slowly and only where conditions suit it.
Q: When is the best time to harvest leaves?
A: Late winter to early spring, before flowering.
Q: Does it indicate a problem with moisture?
A: Not a problem—just a pattern. It highlights persistent damp microclimates.
Recommended Books & Resources
Books
Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods From Dirt to Plate by John Kallas, PhD
A practical “learn the patterns” foraging guide that trains your eye for edible greens (perfect if Wall Pennywort is just the start of your wild-salad era).
The Forager’s Harvest by Samuel Thayer
A deep, detail-rich guide to confidently identifying, harvesting, and actually using wild plants (the book that turns “maybe edible?” into “yep, I’m sure”).
Nature’s Garden by Samuel Thayer
Great for building a seasonal rhythm: what to harvest when, what parts to use, and how to avoid rookie mistakes.
The Forager Handbook: A Guide to the Edible Plants of Britain by Miles Irving
A friendly field companion style guide that’s especially relatable for European landscapes and “edible things hiding in plain sight.”
Resources
Portable plant/flower press kit
Press a clean Wall Pennywort sample for your Plant Library records, DIY herbarium pages, or future ID checks without hauling bookshelves into the field.
10× loupe / hand lens
The tiny tool that makes plant ID easier fast (leaf texture, hairs, margins, and other clues your phone camera loves to blur).
Mesh foraging bag
Lets your harvest breathe on the walk home (less soggy greens), keeps your hands free, and feels oddly professional even if you’re just collecting “wall snacks.”
Tough Kraut Resources
Your shortcut to the exact foraging books, plant-ID tools, and field-tested kit we’d pack for finding and using wild edibles like Umbilicus rupestris (without guessing games).
Entry last updated: 2026-01-08
This post is part of the Tough Kraut Plant Library, documenting what really grows on our off-grid homestead in Central Portugal.
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