Lepidium howei-insulae Plant Care

Lepidium howei-insulae Thell.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Lepidium howei-insulae , commonly known as mustard & cress, is a flowering plant in the mustard and cabbage family. The specific epithet alludes to Lord Howe Island, where it is found.

🌱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 howei-insulae?

Plant Lepidium howei-insulae 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.

What Is the Lepidium howei-insulae?

Lepidium howei-insulae (Lepidium howei-insulae) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Lepidium genus.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Lepidium howei-insulae?

Water a young or newly planted Lepidium howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae Need?

Lepidium howei-insulae thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lepidium howei-insulae Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lepidium howei-insulae?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Lepidium howei-insulae?

Feed Lepidium howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae?

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 howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae?

Lepidium howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae?

Prune Lepidium howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae in Winter?

Lepidium howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae?

Lepidium howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Lepidium howei-insulae, 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 howei-insulae?

Lepidium howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae Need?

Lepidium howei-insulae grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Lepidium howei-insulae as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Lepidium howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae 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 howei-insulae Thell., family Brassicaceae (first published in Neue Denkschr. Schweiz. Naturf. Ges. 41(Abh. 1): 291 (1906)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lepidium howei-insulae, 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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