California Pennycress Plant Care
Noccaea fendleri subsp. californica (S.Watson) Al-Shehbaz & M.Koch
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Noccaea fendleri subsp. californica is a rare subspecies of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae known by the common name Kneeland Prairie penny-cress.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for California Pennycress?
California Pennycress grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the California Pennycress Native To?
What Is the California Pennycress?
California Pennycress (Noccaea fendleri subsp. californica) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Noccaea genus. California Pennycress is native to California.
California Pennycress displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . California Pennycress produces small clusters of white or yellow flowers.
What Light Does the California Pennycress Need?
California Pennycress thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Pennycress?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for California Pennycress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a California Pennycress?
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 California Pennycress?
California Pennycress can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to thlaspi montanum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California Pennycress Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Pennycress, 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 California Pennycress?
California Pennycress 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
California Pennycress 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 Noccaea genus — compare its care with other Noccaea species on PlantoScan.
Noccaea is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
California Pennycress thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Noccaea Species
Other Noccaea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Noccaea fendleri subsp. californica (S.Watson) Al-Shehbaz & M.Koch, family Brassicaceae (first published in Syst. Bot. 29: 382 (2004)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Pennycress, 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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