Fiveleaf Toothwort Plant Care
Cardamine pentaphyllos Crantz
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cardamine pentaphyllos, the five-leaflet bitter-cress or showy toothwort, is a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to Western and Central Europe in Slovenia and Croatia. It is an herbaceous perennial, growing to 30–50 cm (12–20 in), with palmate leaves and racemes of purple, pink or white flowers in late Spring and early Summer.
Partial shade to full shade
At a glance
How do you care for Fiveleaf Toothwort?
Fiveleaf Toothwort grows best in partial shade to full shade.
Where Is the Fiveleaf Toothwort Native To?
What Is the Fiveleaf Toothwort?
Fiveleaf Toothwort (Cardamine pentaphyllos) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Cardamine genus. Fiveleaf Toothwort is native to Western and Central Europe in Slovenia and Croatia. Fiveleaf Toothwort is also known as Large Bittercress.
Fiveleaf Toothwort displays a low-growing, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Fiveleaf Toothwort produces small, delicate white or pink flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Fiveleaf Toothwort Need?
Fiveleaf Toothwort thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Fiveleaf Toothwort 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 Fiveleaf Toothwort?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Fiveleaf Toothwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Fiveleaf Toothwort?
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 Fiveleaf Toothwort?
Fiveleaf Toothwort can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine bittercress plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fiveleaf Toothwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Fiveleaf Toothwort, 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 Fiveleaf Toothwort?
Fiveleaf Toothwort 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
Fiveleaf Toothwort 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.
Fiveleaf Toothwort 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 pentaphyllos Crantz, family Brassicaceae (first published in Cl. Crucif. Emend. : 127 (1769)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fiveleaf Toothwort, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Fiveleaf Toothwort Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species