The bandwidth of a $${\mathbb C}^*$$
C
∗
-action of a polarized pair (X, L) is a natural measure of its complexity. In this paper, we study $${\mathbb C}^*$$
C
∗
-actions on rational homogeneous spaces, determining which provide minimal bandwidth. We prove that the minimal bandwidth is linked to the smallest coefficient of the fundamental weight, in a base of simple roots, which describes the variety as a marked Dynkin diagram. As a direct application of the results we study the Chow groups of the Cayley plane $$\mathrm{E}_6(6)$$
E
6
(
6
)
.