Species Littleleaf Bittercress
white flowers with yellow-lime sepals, purple-green buds, burgundy leaves on lime-green stems

Littleleaf Bittercress

Cardamine microphylla

Also Known As - Small Leaf Bittercress
Littleleaf Bittercress is a small annual plant native to Europe, North Africa and some parts of Asia. It has small white flowers that bloom between April and August. Its leaves are tiny and spoon-shaped, measuring no more than 7 mm. The plant has an upright stem up to 15cm tall, and its seeds are surrounded by a long, thin beak. Littleleaf Bittercress is found in shady, moist places like woodlands, riverbanks, and pastures. Though small, its presence can have a big impact on the environment as it is an important food source for some birds and insects.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

part shade,full shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Narrow-Leaved Bittercress should be watered 2 to 3 times per week. When watering, each plant should be given approximately 1 to 2 inches of water. When possible, water should be applied directly to the soil, avoiding the leaves and stems of the plant. Allow the soil to dry out in between watering. During the winter months, water only when the soil is nearly dry.

sunlight

Narrow-Leaved Bittercress does best in full sun, meaning it should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. This plant prefers morning light and should be placed in a sunny spot with direct sun until late afternoon. If the plant is receiving too much direct sun, its leaves may become sunburned and yellowed. The ideal conditions for this plant are morning light and afternoon shade, or filtered sun exposure throughout the day. Additionally, this plant can tolerate some light shade, although growth, flowering, and foliage may be less robust under these conditions. It's important to keep in mind that this plant is a winter-flowering species, so the amount of sunlight it needs may reduce during the winter months.

pruning

Narrow-Leaved Bittercress (Cardamine impatiens) should be pruned twice a year — once in late winter and again in mid-summer. In late winter, pruning should be done before the plant begins to grow again, typically when it’s still dormant. Remove any stems that are thin and weak, as well as any stems that are crossing or growing in an awkward direction. This will help keep the plant looking neat and encourage vigorous growth. In mid-summer, trim off any stems that have died back, as well as any old flowers. Pruning at this time will also help the plant to retain its shape and size, and encourage regrowth.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.