Thlaspi arvense aka Common Penny Cress

Taxonomy

Thlaspi arvense, commonly known as field pennycress, is a foetid, hairless annual plant in the cabbage family Brassicaceae. It is native to Eurasia and is a common weed found in fields, along roadways, and disturbed areas throughout much of North America and its home. The plant grows up to 60 cm (24 in) tall with upright branches and arrow-shaped, narrow, and toothed stem leaves. It blooms from May to July, producing racemes or spikes of small white flowers with 4 sepals and 4 longer petals. While the mustard-garlic flavor of the leaves is not favored by grazing animals, dairy cows' milk can be affected if they eat it.

Common names

Common Penny Cress, Field Penny Cress, Bastard Cress

How to care for Common Penny Cress

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Common Penny Cress due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Common Penny Cress should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Common Penny Cress loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Common Penny Cress thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Bastard Cress.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Common Penny Cress to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Common Penny Cress is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Growth-pattern

Common Penny Cress grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.


More info:
Wikipedia