Brewer's Bittercress
Cardamine breweri
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Brewer's Bittercress (Cardamine breweri) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Brewer's Bittercress as toxic to livestock.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
4"–12" H × 2"–6" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states
Pollinators
bees, flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Brewer's bittercress is a small, low-growing perennial wildflower that produces delicate white or pale pink flowers from March through June and forms compact clumps in partially shaded areas. This diminutive plant works well as groundcover in woodland gardens or naturalized areas.
In an HOA neighborhood
Brewer's Bittercress takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Very small size makes it appear insignificant in formal landscapes
- Name includes 'bittercress' which may concern HOAs
- Can look sparse or weedy outside of naturalized settings
Wildlife value
The small flowers attract native bees and flies during its extended spring blooming period. Its compact size makes it useful for supporting small pollinators in understory plantings.
Common questions
- How much sun does Brewer's Bittercress need?
- Brewer's Bittercress grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Brewer's Bittercress bloom?
- Brewer's Bittercress blooms in March, April, May, and June.
- Where is Brewer's Bittercress native?
- Brewer's Bittercress (Cardamine breweri) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Brewer's Bittercress toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Brewer's Bittercress as toxic to livestock.
- What pollinators does Brewer's Bittercress attract?
- Brewer's Bittercress draws bees and flies.
- Is Brewer's Bittercress HOA-friendly?
- Brewer's Bittercress takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Brewer's Bittercress? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz