Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)

Hairy Bittercress

Cardamine hirsuta

Tiny white blooms carpet disturbed soil, a cheerful early spring weed. Annual or biennial herb; common name: hairy bittercress.

Partial sun
2–3/week
Beginner
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Prefers partial sun to full shade; tolerates short periods of direct morning sun
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Watering Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; drought-tolerant for short periods of dryness
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Temperature Hardy to light frost; thrives in cool, temperate conditions above freezing
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Basal rosette of pinnately compound leaves with rounded leaflets; stem leaves smaller, alternate
  • Flower: Four-petaled white flowers in terminal racemes; tiny, star-shaped
  • Stem: Slender, upright, sparsely hairy stems
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Care Guide

Watering

Keep soil evenly moist during active growth and flowering

Fertilization

No regular feeding required; tolerates low-nutrient soil. Optional diluted compost tea can support vigorous growth in poor soil

Banana peel tea:Soak dried banana peels in water for 24 hours; dilute 1:20 for root drench to boost bloom production
Pruning
  • Deadhead spent blooms before seed pods mature to prevent aggressive self-seeding
  • Pull entire plants by the roots to control spread in managed garden beds
  • Thin dense clusters to improve airflow and reduce competition for nutrients
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats

Humans: Non-toxic; leaves have a mild peppery edible flavor

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Edible peppery leaves for salads or garnishes; occasional ornamental ground cover