Field penny-cress
Thlaspi arvense · Brassicaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant field penny-cress: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Type
- Annual or biennial herbaceous plant
- Mature size
- 20 to 60 cm in height
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April to June)
- Foliage
- Deciduous, blue-grey green
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates cold
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Asia
- Growth
- Rapid
Care
Exposure
Field pennycress thrives in full sun or partial shade. It prefers well-lit areas for optimal growth and abundant flowering. Avoid overly shaded areas that slow its development.
Soil and preparation
This plant adapts to many soil types, including poor and chalky soils. Well-drained soil is preferable to avoid waterlogging. It tolerates compacted and infertile soils, making it an effective pioneer species.
Watering
Moderate watering is sufficient: keep the soil slightly moist during growth. Once established, the plant is very tolerant of drought. Water especially during prolonged dry periods, as it's a hardy and undemanding plant.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer application is truly necessary. If you wish to boost growth, light compost applied in spring is more than sufficient. The plant grows naturally without special supplementation.
Pruning and maintenance
No strict pruning is necessary. You can remove spent flowers to extend flowering and limit self-seeding if the plant becomes invasive. Leave a few plants to set seed if you want natural reproduction.
Diseases and pests
Field pennycress is generally very resistant. Like other Brassicaceae, it can occasionally suffer from cabbage fly or aphid attacks. Good air circulation and the absence of waterlogging minimize phytosanitary problems.
Did you know?
Field pennycress was once an indicator of soil quality in cultivated European lands: its presence signaled well-drained soils suitable for clearing. Its siliques (small flattened pods) earned it the Latin name 'Thlaspi' (from Greek 'thlao' = to crush) and disperse remarkably on the wind, making this herbaceous plant an effective colonizer of wastelands and forgotten gardens.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.