Water
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during active growth. Water more frequently in warmer weather and less in cooler periods.
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as this can stress the plant.
Also known as Bushy Bittercress · Narrow-Leaf Bittercress · Narrow-Leaved Bitter-Cress
Narrowleaf Bittercress (Cardamine impatiens) is a slender annual herb with small white flowers, often found in damp, shady areas. It can be an opportunistic weed.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Partial Shade to Full Sun
50% intensity
Thrives in dappled shade or morning sun, tolerates full sun if soil remains moist.
Consistent Moisture
75% intensity
Prefers consistently moist soil; avoid waterlogging.
Loam
50% intensity
Cool to Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers cooler temperatures; can bolt in excessive heat. Hardy to light frost.
Low Feeding
25% intensity
Requires minimal feeding; a light dilute feed in spring is sufficient.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during active growth. Water more frequently in warmer weather and less in cooler periods.
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as this can stress the plant.
Pruning is generally not required for this species, as it is a low-growing annual or biennial. Remove any dead or yellowing foliage as needed to maintain tidiness.
If the plant becomes leggy, a light trim can encourage bushier growth.
Propagation is easily achieved through self-seeding. Seeds are dispersed widely, often resulting in new plants appearing in subsequent years.
You can also collect seeds in late spring or early summer and sow them directly in the garden or in pots.
Repotting is typically not necessary for this annual or biennial plant. If grown in a container, it is best to allow it to self-seed and start new plants each year.
If you wish to keep a particular specimen, repotting can be done in early spring before significant growth begins.
Identify plants like this with ePlant AI
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Narrowleaf Bittercress (Cardamine impatiens)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Genus | Cardamine |
| Species | Cardamine impatiens |
Similar in genus Cardamine
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data