Lepidium foliosum Plant Care

Lepidium foliosum Desv.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Lepidium foliosum, commonly known as leafy peppercress, is a shrubby species of plant found in southern regions of Australia, usually close to the coast. The herbaceous species is shrubby in form, with hairless leaves and stem, and resembles others plants of the mustard family Brassicaceae.

🌱Herbs
Water

Every 4–7 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Lepidium foliosum?

Plant Lepidium foliosum in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 4–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Lepidium foliosum Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Lepidium foliosum?

Lepidium foliosum (Lepidium foliosum) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Lepidium genus. Lepidium foliosum is native to southern regions of Australia, usually close to the coast.

Lepidium foliosum displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Lepidium foliosum produces small white or pink clustered blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Lepidium foliosum?

Water a young or newly planted Lepidium foliosum every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 4–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Lepidium foliosum Need?

Lepidium foliosum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lepidium foliosum Prefer?

Lepidium foliosum tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Lepidium foliosum prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lepidium foliosum?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Lepidium foliosum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Lepidium foliosum?

Feed Lepidium foliosum every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Lepidium foliosum?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lepidium foliosum is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Lepidium foliosum?

Lepidium foliosum can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Lepidium foliosum?

Prune Lepidium foliosum while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Lepidium foliosum in Winter?

Lepidium foliosum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Lepidium foliosum?

Lepidium foliosum can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to field pepperweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Lepidium foliosum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Lepidium foliosum, 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 Lepidium foliosum?

Lepidium foliosum is susceptible to aphids, flea beetles, cabbage worms. 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Lepidium foliosum Need?

Lepidium foliosum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lepidium foliosum is native to southern regions of Australia, usually close to the coast. In cooler regions, grow Lepidium foliosum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Lepidium foliosum 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 Lepidium genus — compare its care with other Lepidium species on PlantoScan.

Lepidium is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.

Lepidium foliosum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Lepidium Species

Other Lepidium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Lepidium foliosum Desv., family Brassicaceae (first published in J. Bot. Agric. 3: 164 (1815)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lepidium foliosum, 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.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • 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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