Heart-pod Hoary Cress
Cardaria draba
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Heart-pod Hoary Cress (Cardaria draba) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Pollinators
bees, beetles, flies
Native alternatives to Heart-pod Hoary Cress
Heart-pod Hoary Cress 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.
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 areaHeart-pod hoary cress is a low-growing perennial forb that reaches 12-24 inches in height and spread. It produces small white flowers in late spring and early summer and thrives in full sun with minimal water requirements.
In an HOA neighborhood
Heart-pod Hoary Cress takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
- Spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes
Wildlife value
The white flowers attract various pollinators including bees, beetles, and flies during the May-June blooming period.
Common questions
- How much sun does Heart-pod Hoary Cress need?
- Heart-pod Hoary Cress grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Heart-pod Hoary Cress bloom?
- Heart-pod Hoary Cress blooms in May and June.
- What pollinators does Heart-pod Hoary Cress attract?
- Heart-pod Hoary Cress draws bees, beetles, and flies.
- Is Heart-pod Hoary Cress HOA-friendly?
- Heart-pod Hoary Cress 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.
- 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 Heart-pod Hoary Cress? 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