Cardamine leucantha
Cardamine leucanthafam. Brassicaceae
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Pl. 10B2 — Cardamine leucantha
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IOverview
Overview
Cardamine leucantha, commonly known as the white honewort, is a perennial plant native to regions including Amur, China North-Central, and Japan. It thrives in moist, wet environments with light or partial sun exposure, making it adaptable to various soil types such as sandy, medium, and clay. This plant can grow up to 0.6 meters tall and is hardy in zones 4-8. Known for its edible leaves, which are often used in culinary applications, Cardamine leucantha also serves as an ornamental addition to gardens due to its distinctive white flowers.
Quick answers
What is Cardamine leucantha?
Cardamine leucantha, commonly known as the white honewort, is a perennial plant native to regions including Amur, China North-Central, and Japan. It thrives in moist, wet environments with light or partial sun exposure, making it adaptable to various soil types such as sandy, medium, and clay.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Cardamine leucantha thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist to wet soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8 and can grow up to 0.6 meters tall. For propagation, use seeds or division of established plants. Harvest the edible leaves for culinary uses.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Cardamine leucantha for the first time
8steps
Start with Skip as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Skip seeds or young plants, a trowel, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with moist, well-draining soil that's light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). Ensure good sunlight exposure.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5-1 cm deep and about 30 cm apart. Transplant young plants with care to avoid damaging roots.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially in dry periods. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize sparingly with compost.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and spent flowers to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny or dry conditions, neglecting regular pruning, and not providing enough mulch.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Tea
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
14 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
14 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 14 native
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaJapanMongoliaSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Amur, Chita, Khabarovsk, Kuril Is., Sakhalin, Primorye
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Brassicaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Brassicaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
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