How much sun does Pennsylvania Bittercress need?

Pennsylvania Bittercress grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Pennsylvania Bittercress bloom?

Pennsylvania Bittercress blooms in March, April, May, and June.

Where is Pennsylvania Bittercress native?

Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) is native to AL, AR, CA, CO and 43 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Pennsylvania Bittercress toxic to livestock?

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

What pollinators does Pennsylvania Bittercress attract?

Pennsylvania Bittercress draws bees and flies.

Is Pennsylvania Bittercress HOA-friendly?

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

Pennsylvania Bittercress

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cardamine pensylvanica

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) 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 Pennsylvania Bittercress as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

4"–16" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CA, CO and 43 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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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Pennsylvania bittercress is a small, delicate annual wildflower that produces tiny white flowers from spring through early summer. This diminutive native thrives in moist, shaded areas and typically completes its life cycle quickly, disappearing by midsummer.

In an HOA neighborhood

Pennsylvania 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 habit creates bare spots when plant dies back
Easily mistaken for common lawn weeds

Wildlife value

The small white flowers attract native bees and flies during the spring months. As an early bloomer, it provides nectar when few other plants are flowering.

Common questions

How much sun does Pennsylvania Bittercress need?: Pennsylvania Bittercress grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Pennsylvania Bittercress bloom?: Pennsylvania Bittercress blooms in March, April, May, and June.
Where is Pennsylvania Bittercress native?: Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) is native to AL, AR, CA, CO and 43 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Pennsylvania Bittercress toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Pennsylvania Bittercress as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Pennsylvania Bittercress attract?: Pennsylvania Bittercress draws bees and flies.
Is Pennsylvania Bittercress HOA-friendly?: Pennsylvania 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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