Species Woodland Bittercress
white flowers with yellow-green stamens, green leaves and stems

Woodland Bittercress

Cardamine flexuosa

Woodland Bittercress (Cardamine flexuosa) is a small, herbaceous flowering plant found throughout much of Europe and the surrounding regions. It typically grows in shady, moist areas such as woods, hedgerows, and ditches. The plant's delicate, ferny leaves are deeply cut and may be tinged with shades of purple. In summer, the plant produces small white flowers with four petals. Woodland Bittercress is an edible plant; its bright, peppery-tasting leaves make a tasty addition to salads. It can also be used in stir-fries and soups. This hardy, easy to grow plant makes a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to any garden.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Woodland Bittercress is a drought-tolerant plant and does not need frequent watering. It should be watered once a week, providing enough water to moisten the soil evenly but with little runoff. The soil should be damp but not overly wet. During summers, if it is hotter and drier, you may need to increase watering frequency to once every 3 to 4 days. In winter, reduce watering frequency. Watering should be done in the mornings so the plant can dry before nightfall, preventing fungus from growing. Be mindful of overwatering, as too much can cause root rot.

sunlight

Woodland Bittercress (Cardamine flexuosa) needs between 4 and 6 hours of sunlight for optimal growth and health. Direct sunlight should be in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense. This plant species is a low-light plant and can tolerate shady environments, however it will grow better and produce more flowers with more light. When growing in full sun, the plants may require occasional watering and should be monitored for signs of dehydration and leaf wilt.

pruning

Woodland Bittercress, also known as Cardamine flexuosa, should be pruned in early spring or late winter. Pruning should be done before or after flowering, and should be minimal. Pruning should focus mainly on the removal of dead, damaged, or diseased stems, as well as those that cross or rub against 1 another. It may also be necessary to selectively prune parts of the plant that are overcrowding its neighboring stems; if this is necessary, pruning should focus on thinning out the foliage to allow for better air circulation. The plant should be trimmed to encourage a bushy, uniform shape. Any unmanageable or overgrown stems should be pruned as well.