Greater Swinecress: The Unassuming Ground Cover You Might Already Have
If you’ve ever noticed a small, sprawling plant with deeply lobed leaves popping up in disturbed soil or along pathways, you might have encountered greater swinecress (Coronopus squamatus). This humble little forb doesn’t win any beauty contests, but it has some interesting qualities that make it worth knowing about.
What Is Greater Swinecress?
Greater swinecress is an annual to biennial forb that stays close to the ground, rarely reaching more than a few inches tall. Also known by its scientific synonyms Carara coronopus, Coronopus procumbens, and Lepidium squamatus, this plant belongs to the mustard family and has a knack for showing up where other plants struggle.
As a non-native species, greater swinecress originally hails from Europe and the Mediterranean but has established itself across much of North America. It reproduces spontaneously in the wild and tends to persist once established, though it’s not considered particularly aggressive or problematic.
Where You’ll Find It
Greater swinecress has made itself at home across a surprisingly wide range of locations. You can find it growing in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas. It’s also established itself in several Canadian provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.
Should You Plant Greater Swinecress?
Here’s where it gets interesting – greater swinecress isn’t exactly a showstopper, but it does have its place in certain situations:
Reasons You Might Consider It:
- Excellent for filling gaps in disturbed or poor soils
- Requires virtually no maintenance once established
- Provides ground cover in areas where other plants struggle
- Small white flowers attract beneficial insects
- Self-seeding nature means it’ll come back without replanting
Reasons to Think Twice:
- Not particularly ornamental or eye-catching
- Can spread beyond intended areas through self-seeding
- Native alternatives often provide better ecosystem benefits
- May be considered weedy in formal garden settings
Growing Conditions and Care
If you decide greater swinecress fits your needs, you’ll find it refreshingly low-maintenance. This adaptable plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 and tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Preferred Growing Conditions:
- Soil: Tolerates poor, disturbed, or compacted soils
- Moisture: Moderate water needs; drought tolerant once established
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- pH: Adaptable to various soil pH levels
Planting and Care Tips:
- Seeds germinate easily in spring or fall
- Scatter seeds directly where you want plants to grow
- No fertilization typically needed
- Allow some plants to go to seed for natural reseeding
- Minimal watering required except during establishment
Consider Native Alternatives
While greater swinecress isn’t problematic, native plants often provide superior benefits for local wildlife and ecosystems. Consider these native ground covers instead:
- Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
- Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata)
- Native sedges (Carex species)
- Regional native mustard family plants
The Bottom Line
Greater swinecress won’t win any garden design awards, but it serves a purpose as a tough, adaptable ground cover for challenging spots. If you’re dealing with disturbed soil, pathways, or areas where nothing else wants to grow, this unassuming little plant might just be the practical solution you need. Just remember that native alternatives often provide better support for local wildlife while offering similar growing benefits.
Whether greater swinecress appears uninvited in your garden or you’re considering it for a specific purpose, now you know what you’re dealing with – a resilient, no-fuss plant that’s happy to fill the gaps where others fear to tread.
