Is crosswort invasive?

It can be aggressive in small gardens due to its spreading habit, but it is generally well-behaved in meadows.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil remains consistently moist.

Plant guide

Crosswort.

Cruciata laevipes

Pronounced kroo-see-AH-tuh LEE-vih-peez

Also known as Crosswort, Maywort, Smooth bedstraw

Crosswort is a charming perennial that spreads through underground runners to form lovely mats. You will often find it in meadows or along hedgerows where it adds a touch of yellow color. It is a hardy plant that fits right into a naturalistic garden setting.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 20 to 60 centimeters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to mimic its natural damp habitat. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this plant prefers steady moisture. It spreads easily, so keep an eye on it if you want to contain its growth.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once during the spring growth spurt.
Pruning: Trim back dead stems in late autumn or early spring to tidy the plant.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes too crowded or needs division to manage its spread.
Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Temperature: -34 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth despite regular watering

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Children: The plant is not dangerous, but children should be discouraged from eating wild plants.
Contact allergens: The stems have fine hairs that may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe seasonal allergies.
Edibility: While historically used in some regions, it is not considered a standard culinary herb and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Four leaves arranged in a whorl
Small yellow flowers in leaf axils
Square stems typical of Rubiaceae
Soft hairs covering the foliage

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: bright green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 0.2 to 0.4cm
Fruit: black, late summer

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on the stems and leaves during dry spells.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The foliage will die back completely in winter. No special protection is needed as it is quite hardy.
In containers: It is not ideal for containers as it prefers to spread through the ground.

Division

Dig up a clump in early spring.
Gently pull the root mass apart into smaller sections.
Replant immediately in moist soil.

Plant this in a semi-shaded meadow area where it can spread without crowding out smaller, less vigorous flowers.

Grows well with

Cow Parsley · They naturally occur together in woodland edges and hedgerows.
Red Campion · Both plants enjoy similar partial shade conditions and bloom at the same time.

Similar species

Sweet Woodruff · It shares the same family and whorled leaf structure but prefers deeper shade.

Science

Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Cruciata
Order: Gentianales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe, Western Asia, and parts of North Africa.
Conservation: It is common and widespread across its range, so it is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in hedgerows and grassy banks where it can utilize the dappled light and moist soil conditions.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ground cover, wildflower meadow, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is crosswort invasive?: It can be aggressive in small gardens due to its spreading habit, but it is generally well-behaved in meadows.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil remains consistently moist.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cruciata comes from the Latin word for cross, referencing the leaf arrangement, while laevipes means smooth-footed.

Good to know

It is a member of the coffee family, Rubiaceae.
The name crosswort refers to the way the leaves are arranged in whorls of four along the stem.
It often spreads via underground runners to form dense colonies.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.