Also known as Bitter Cress · Lesser Lepidium · Lesser Swine's Cress
Lesser swine-cress (Lepidium didymum) is a small, prostrate annual herb with a pungent odor, often found in disturbed soils, waste places, and agricultural fields.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full sun to partial shade
75% intensity
Prefers bright conditions for best growth.
Keep soil consistently moist
50% intensity
Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Well-drained, sandy, loamy, clay
50% intensity
Cool to moderate
50% intensity
Prefers temperatures between 15-25°C.
Low feeding
25% intensity
Occasional feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer if needed.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water Lesser swine-cress regularly, especially during dry periods, to maintain consistently moist soil. Avoid waterlogging, as this can lead to root rot.
Reduce watering in cooler months when growth slows, but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Pruning is usually not necessary for lesser swine-cress. If plants become leggy or overgrown, you can trim them back to encourage bushier growth and potentially extend the flowering period.
Remove spent flower stalks to prevent unwanted self-seeding.
Lesser swine-cress is easily propagated by seed. Sow seeds directly into the garden in early spring or late autumn. They germinate readily in cool, moist conditions.
Division of established plants is also possible, though less common.
Repotting is typically not required for lesser swine-cress, as it is often grown as an annual or a short-lived perennial. If grown in containers and it becomes root-bound, repot into a slightly larger container with fresh potting mix in spring.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Lesser Swine-Cress (Lepidium didymum)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Genus | Lepidium |
| Species | Lepidium didymum |
Similar in genus Lepidium
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
