How much sun does Common Bittercress need?

Common Bittercress grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Common Bittercress bloom?

Common Bittercress blooms in March, April, and May.

What pollinators does Common Bittercress attract?

Common Bittercress draws bees and flies.

Is Common Bittercress HOA-friendly?

Common Bittercress takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Common Bittercress

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cardamine hirsuta

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Common Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) 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.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 3"–8" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Pollinators

bees, flies

Native alternatives to Common Bittercress

Common Bittercress is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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Common bittercress is a small, low-growing annual wildflower that produces tiny white flowers in early spring. This modest native plant grows in small rosettes and completes its life cycle quickly, often disappearing by summer.

In an HOA neighborhood

Common 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 and can appear weedy
Annual nature means inconsistent presence
May be mistaken for a weed by neighbors

Wildlife value

The small white flowers provide early nectar for bees and flies during spring when few other plants are blooming.

Common questions

How much sun does Common Bittercress need?: Common Bittercress grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Common Bittercress bloom?: Common Bittercress blooms in March, April, and May.
What pollinators does Common Bittercress attract?: Common Bittercress draws bees and flies.
Is Common Bittercress HOA-friendly?: Common Bittercress takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

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