How much sun does Tennessee Gladecress need?

Tennessee Gladecress grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Tennessee Gladecress bloom?

Tennessee Gladecress blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Tennessee Gladecress native?

Tennessee Gladecress (Leavenworthia exigua) is native to AL, GA, KY, TN, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Tennessee Gladecress attract?

Tennessee Gladecress draws bees and beetles.

Is Tennessee Gladecress HOA-friendly?

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

Tennessee Gladecress

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Leavenworthia exigua

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Tennessee Gladecress (Leavenworthia exigua) 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

2"–8" H × 2"–4" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, GA, KY, TN

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Interior Plateau

A tiny annual wildflower that forms small rosettes of leaves close to the ground. It produces delicate white or pale purple flowers in spring before completing its life cycle by early summer.

In an HOA neighborhood

Tennessee Gladecress 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.

Extremely small size makes it nearly invisible in landscape
Dies back completely after spring bloom
Annual nature requires reseeding each year

Wildlife value

This small native provides early season nectar for bees and beetles when few other flowers are available. Its compact size makes it suitable for supporting pollinators in tight spaces.

Common questions

How much sun does Tennessee Gladecress need?: Tennessee Gladecress grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Tennessee Gladecress bloom?: Tennessee Gladecress blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Tennessee Gladecress native?: Tennessee Gladecress (Leavenworthia exigua) is native to AL, GA, KY, TN, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Tennessee Gladecress attract?: Tennessee Gladecress draws bees and beetles.
Is Tennessee Gladecress HOA-friendly?: Tennessee Gladecress 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.

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