Water
Water regularly, especially during establishment and dry periods, ensuring good drainage. Allow the top 2-3 cm of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Reduce watering in cooler months.
Also known as Common Whitetop · Heart-Pod Hoary Cress · Heart-Pod Hoarycress
Heart-podded Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba) is a persistent perennial herb with heart-shaped seed pods. It's considered an invasive weed in many regions.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; ensure good drainage.
Well-drained, tolerates a range of soil types
50% intensity
Adaptable
50% intensity
Hardy and tolerant of cold; prefers moderate temperatures for optimal growth.
Low
25% intensity
Requires little to no fertilizer; benefits from light feeding if growth is weak.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Low toxicity
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water regularly, especially during establishment and dry periods, ensuring good drainage. Allow the top 2-3 cm of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Reduce watering in cooler months.
Prune after flowering to prevent seed formation and manage spread. Remove spent flower stalks. In late winter or early spring, cut back any dead or damaged stems to encourage vigorous new growth.
Deadheading can be beneficial for tidiness.
Easily propagated by seed sown in autumn or early spring. Division of established clumps in spring or autumn is also effective.
It can also spread vigorously via its root system, making it challenging to eradicate in some contexts.
This species is not typically grown in pots and is often considered a weed in gardens due to its invasive nature. If container-grown, repot in spring when new growth appears, using well-draining soil.
Choose a pot with adequate drainage holes.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Heart-Podded Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba)
Where Heart-Podded Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Genus | Lepidium |
| Species | Lepidium draba |
Similar in genus Lepidium
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
