How much sun does Little Western Bittercress need?

Little Western Bittercress grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Little Western Bittercress bloom?

Little Western Bittercress blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Little Western Bittercress native?

Little Western Bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Little Western Bittercress toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Little Western Bittercress as toxic to livestock.

What pollinators does Little Western Bittercress attract?

Little Western Bittercress draws bees and flies.

Is Little Western Bittercress HOA-friendly?

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

Little Western Bittercress

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cardamine oligosperma

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Little Western Bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma) 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 Little Western Bittercress as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

2"–12" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

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 area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Little western bittercress is a small annual wildflower that grows 2-12 inches tall with delicate white flowers in spring. It thrives in partial sun with moderate water and completes its life cycle in one season. This diminutive plant blooms from March through May, adding early season color to native gardens.

In an HOA neighborhood

Little Western 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 weedy
Annual lifecycle creates gaps when plant dies
Name contains 'weed' which raises HOA concerns

Wildlife value

This plant provides nectar for early season bees and flies when few other flowers are available. Its small stature and brief bloom period offer modest but important spring pollinator support.

Common questions

How much sun does Little Western Bittercress need?: Little Western Bittercress grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Little Western Bittercress bloom?: Little Western Bittercress blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Little Western Bittercress native?: Little Western Bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Little Western Bittercress toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Little Western Bittercress as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Little Western Bittercress attract?: Little Western Bittercress draws bees and flies.
Is Little Western Bittercress HOA-friendly?: Little Western 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

See all plant problem guides

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