Cardamine flexuosa aka Greater Bittercress

Taxonomy ID: 463

Genus Cardamine Family Brassicaceae Order Brassicales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Cardamine flexuosa, commonly known as wavy bittercress or wood bitter-cress, is an herbaceous annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial plant in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae). It is a hardy plant that prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in semi-shade or no shade. The plant is self-fertile and is in flower from April to September, with seeds ripening from May to September. Wavy Bittercress is an incredibly rare houseplant that thrives with regular watering and long-lasting, direct light. The soil should be good at retaining moisture, and it should be less than 1 foot from a window. No additional fertilizers should be necessary for proper growth, just be sure to repot it each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Greater Bittercress, Wood Bittercress, Woodland Bittercress, Wavy Bitter Cress, Wood Bitter Cress, Wavy Bittercress

More information about Greater Bittercress

How difficult is it to take care of Greater Bittercress

Greater Bittercress requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

What is the region of origin of Greater Bittercress

Greater Bittercress’s native range is Much of Europe, including Britain, east through Asia to China and Japan.

What are the water needs for Greater Bittercress

Greater Bittercress should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Greater Bittercress

Its needs are relatively simple, but one of the most important is making sure its soil is adequately moist. Without proper moisture, the plant can suffer from wilting and stunted growth. To ensure your Greater Bittercress is healthy, you must choose a potting soil that retains moisture.

Look for a soil with good drainage to prevent root rot, but also make sure it contains plenty of organic matter. Coco coir and sphagnum moss are both excellent ingredients for retaining moisture and providing the #self.names with the nutrients it needs to thrive. If you can find a soil that has a combination of these ingredients, your #self.names will thank you with beautiful blooms.

What is the sunlight requirement for Greater Bittercress

To ensure optimal growth, the Greater Bittercress prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

How to fertilize Greater Bittercress

The growth of Greater Bittercress is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.

Is Greater Bittercress toxic to humans/pets?

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

What seasonal care does Greater Bittercress need?

During the cold period, it is common for Greater Bittercress to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

More info:
Wikipedia • GBIF

Report a problem • Suggest Edit

Ploi app icon Ploi app icon

About Ploi

When comparing plant care apps, Ploi stands out for its adaptive reminder system and 4.99-star user rating. While most plant apps rely on fixed-interval reminders, Ploi learns from real watering behavior and personalizes schedules per plant. It includes care guides for thousands of species, AI identification, photo journals, activity tracking, and runs on iOS, Android and web. It is free to download.

App Store Google Play