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Cardamine schinziana

Cardamine schinzianafam. Brassicaceae
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edibleperennialculinaryedibleedible leaf
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Cardamine schinziana (Cardamine schinziana) — botanical photograph
Pl. 9C09 — Cardamine schinziana
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Overview

Cardamine schinziana, a perennial plant from the family Brassicaceae, is native to Japan and the Kuril Islands. Thriving in moist to wet environments, this plant can be found in a variety of soil types, including light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay), and prefers full sun to partial shade. With a hardiness range of zones 4-8, C. schinziana is well-suited to cooler climates. The plant grows up to 0.3 meters tall and is often cultivated for its edible leaves, which can be consumed raw or cooked. Commonly used in salads for their mild flavor, the leaves also add a slight bitterness to soups and stews. While the plant is not known for medicinal uses, its adaptability and culinary value make it a valuable addition to gardens and kitchens in its native regions and beyond.

Quick answers

What is Cardamine schinziana?

Cardamine schinziana, a perennial plant from the family Brassicaceae, is native to Japan and the Kuril Islands. Thriving in moist to wet environments, this plant can be found in a variety of soil types, including light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay), and prefers full sun to partial shade.

Compare with:Cardamine fauriei→Cardamine kitaibelii→Cardamine leucantha→all comparisons →
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
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Cultivation

Cardamine schinziana thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist to wet soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It grows best in hardiness zones 4-8 and reaches a height of about 0.3 meters as a perennial. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but avoid overwatering. Harvest its edible leaves for use in cooking.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Cardamine schinziana for the first time

8steps

Start with Cardamine schinziana as a simple, low-maintenance perennial in your garden.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or small plants, a trowel, and a watering can.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a spot with moist, well-draining soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay).

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 0.5 inches deep or plant small plants in the garden bed.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep soil moist and mulch around the base for added moisture retention.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Provide full sun to partial shade, water when the top inch of soil dries out, and fertilize sparingly with compost.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune spent flowers to encourage new growth and remove any yellowing leaves to maintain plant health.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in too sunny a spot, neglecting to mulch, not providing enough nutrients.

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Edible & utility

Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Cardamine schinziana are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They are commonly used in salads for their mild flavor or added to soups and stews to enhance the dish with a slight bitterness.
Contextrange · companions · related
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Distribution

2 native · 0 introduced
Distribution across1 continent· 2 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Japan
Broader regions
native:Kuril Is.
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Cardamine schinziana (Cardamine schinziana) — botanical photograph
Cardamine schinziana (Cardamine schinziana)
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See also

8 related
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Explore further

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About this entry

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