Spring Cress Plant Care
Cardamine quinquefolia (M.Bieb.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Schmalh.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cardamine quinquefolia, the five-leaved cuckoo flower or whorled coral-root, is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to an area from south eastern Europe to northern Iran.
Partial shade to full shade
At a glance
How do you care for Spring Cress?
Spring Cress grows best in partial shade to full shade.
Where Is the Spring Cress Native To?
What Is the Spring Cress?
Spring Cress (Cardamine quinquefolia) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Cardamine genus. Spring Cress is native to an area from south eastern Europe to northern Iran. Spring Cress is also known as Fiveleaf Bittercress.
Spring Cress displays a low-growing, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Spring Cress produces small, delicate white or pink flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Spring Cress Need?
Spring Cress thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Spring Cress in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spring Cress?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Spring Cress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Spring Cress?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Spring Cress?
Spring Cress can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine bittercress plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spring Cress Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spring Cress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Spring Cress?
Spring Cress is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Spring Cress is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cardamine genus — compare its care with other Cardamine species on PlantoScan.
Cardamine is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Spring Cress copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Cardamine Species
Other Cardamine species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cardamine quinquefolia (M.Bieb.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Schmalh., family Brassicaceae (first published in Fl. Sredn. Jushn. Rossii 1: 511 (1895)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spring Cress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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