Perfoliate Pennycress (Noccaea perfoliata)

Photo: Sam KieschnickCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Perfoliate Pennycress Plant Care

Noccaea perfoliata (L.) Al-Shehbaz

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its unique perfoliate leaves that wrap around the stem. Originating from Europe and Asia, Noccaea perfoliata is highly sought after by plant collectors for its attractive foliage and ability to thrive in a variety of growing conditions.

🌱Herbs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Perfoliate Pennycress?

Water Perfoliate Pennycress every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.

Where Is the Perfoliate Pennycress Native To?

Native range71 countries

What Is the Perfoliate Pennycress?

Perfoliate Pennycress (Noccaea perfoliata) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Noccaea genus. Perfoliate Pennycress is native to southern, central, and southeastern Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia from the eastern Mediterranean to the Altai, Xinjiang, and Pakistan.

Perfoliate Pennycress displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Perfoliate Pennycress produces small clusters of white or yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Perfoliate Pennycress?

Noccaea perfoliata requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Perfoliate Pennycress Need?

Perfoliate Pennycress thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Perfoliate Pennycress Prefer?

Noccaea perfoliata grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Perfoliate Pennycress prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Perfoliate Pennycress?

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Perfoliate Pennycress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Perfoliate Pennycress?

Feed Perfoliate Pennycress every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every month

During the growing season

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

How Do You Repot a Perfoliate 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 Perfoliate Pennycress?

Perfoliate Pennycress can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to thlaspi montanum plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Perfoliate Pennycress Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Perfoliate 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 Perfoliate Pennycress?

Perfoliate 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Perfoliate Pennycress Need?

Perfoliate Pennycress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Perfoliate Pennycress is native to southern, central, and southeastern Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia from the eastern Mediterranean to the Altai, Xinjiang, and Pakistan.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 5a – 9b

Keep exploring plants

Perfoliate 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.

Perfoliate 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 perfoliata (L.) Al-Shehbaz, family Brassicaceae (first published in Harvard Pap. Bot. 19: 44 (2014)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Perfoliate 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.
  • Photo: Sam Kieschnick, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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