Spring Cress
Cardamine oligospermafam. Brassicaceae
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Pl. CAE8 — Cardamine oligosperma
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IOverview
Overview
Spring Cress, scientifically known as Cardamine oligosperma, is an annual or biennial plant native to regions including British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, and various areas in Mexico such as the Northeast and Northwest. This plant thrives in moist to wet environments with light to partial sun exposure, making it adaptable to a range of soil types from sandy to clay. With a height of about 0.3 meters, Spring Cress is known for its edible leaves, which can be harvested for culinary use. Its presence in diverse habitats across North America highlights its resilience and adaptability.
Quick answers
What is Spring Cress?
Spring Cress, scientifically known as Cardamine oligosperma, is an annual or biennial plant native to regions including British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, and various areas in Mexico such as the Northeast and Northwest.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Spring Cress thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist to wet conditions. It grows well in light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil types. This plant is hardy in temperate regions and can be propagated through seeds. Annual or biennial, Spring Cress reaches a height of 0.3 meters and its edible parts are the leaves.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual, Biennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Spring Cress for the first time
8steps
Start with simple soil and light conditions for a successful Spring Cress planting.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds, small pots or garden bed, potting mix, water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, or in fall for a winter harvest.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5; ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside; space plants about 30 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist and provide partial shade to avoid leaf burn; thin seedlings if necessary.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells; mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune by cutting off outer leaves as needed to encourage new growth; harvest entire plants when they reach 30 cm in height.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to thin seedlings, using heavy soil that doesn't drain well.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Spring Cress are edible and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a green vegetable. They thrive in moist, wet conditions with partial sun to full sun exposure.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
12 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
12 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 12 native
Broader regions
native:British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Mexico Northwest, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Mexico Northeast
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
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