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Seaside Bittercress

Cardamine angulata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Seaside Bittercress (Cardamine angulata)
Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Jon Lee

Toxicity unknown

Seaside Bittercress (Cardamine angulata) 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

high

Size

4"–16" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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

Seaside bittercress is a low-growing native perennial that forms small clumps in shaded, moist areas. It produces delicate white flowers from March through June and thrives in consistently wet conditions. This plant works well as groundcover in woodland gardens or rain gardens.

In an HOA neighborhood

Seaside 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
  • Name includes 'bittercress' which sounds like a weed
  • Informal growth habit lacks ornamental appeal

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and beetles during its long spring and early summer blooming period. Its small stature makes it useful for supporting smaller pollinators that might be overlooked by larger plants.

Common questions

How much sun does Seaside Bittercress need?
Seaside Bittercress grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Seaside Bittercress bloom?
Seaside Bittercress blooms in March, April, May, and June.
Where is Seaside Bittercress native?
Seaside Bittercress (Cardamine angulata) is native to CA, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Seaside Bittercress attract?
Seaside Bittercress draws bees and beetles.
Is Seaside Bittercress HOA-friendly?
Seaside 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Seaside 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