Virginia pepperweed.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous annual or biennial

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

2 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Spring to early summer

Care

This plant thrives in full sun with well draining soil. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as it appreciates consistent moisture to keep growing strong. It is quite self sufficient and rarely needs extra attention.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Feeding

A light application of balanced fertilizer helps if the soil is poor.

Pruning

Trim back spent flower stalks to encourage a tidier appearance.

Repotting

Since it is often grown as an annual, repotting is rarely necessary.

Soil

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-20 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Annual or biennial

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

This plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Children

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the plant is best kept out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion of wild-harvested greens.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation if they have sensitive skin.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can be a minor irritant for those with seasonal allergies.

Edibility

While the leaves are edible as a peppery green, ensure they are harvested from areas free of pesticides or pollutants.

How to identify it

• Small white four petaled flowers
• Flat circular seed pods
• Basal rosette of lobed leaves
• Peppery scent when crushed

Height

0.2 to 0.6m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, 0.2 to 0.5cm

Fruit

green, brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

• Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and flower stalks.
• Downy mildew · Fungal growth that appears as yellowing patches on leaves in damp conditions.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

In colder climates, the plant will die back after setting seed. You can leave the dried stalks for winter interest or clear them away in late autumn.

In containers

It grows well in containers, but ensure you use a pot at least 20 cm wide to allow for its taproot.

Plant this in a sunny meadow patch to provide early season forage for beneficial insects.

Grows well with

• Common Yarrow · They both thrive in similar sunny, well drained conditions.
• Wild Bergamot · They create a diverse meadow aesthetic that supports a wide range of pollinators.

Similar species

• Field Pepperweed · It is a similar looking relative but is considered an introduced species in many parts of North America.

Science

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Lepidium

Order

Brassicales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

North America

Conservation

It is a common and widespread native plant that is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, sunny, and disturbed habitats where it can quickly establish itself from seed.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

culinary greens, wildlife garden, pollinator habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Lepidium virginicum a weed?

It is a native wildflower that can act as a pioneer species in disturbed areas, so some gardeners consider it a weed.

Can I eat the seeds?

Yes, the seeds are edible and have a spicy, mustard-like flavor.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Lepidium comes from the Greek word for scale, referring to the shape of the seed pods. The specific epithet virginicum refers to the Virginia colony where it was first described.

Good to know

• The leaves have a sharp, peppery flavor similar to watercress.
• It is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae.
• The plant is highly adaptable and can grow in disturbed soils.
• It is often found in fields and along roadsides throughout North America.