Swinecress: The Humble Roadside Plant You Probably Don’t Want in Your Garden
Meet swinecress (Coronopus), a small, unassuming plant that you’ve likely seen growing along roadsides, in parking lots, or pushing through sidewalk cracks. While it might not win any beauty contests, this hardy little survivor has some interesting characteristics that every gardener should know about.
What Exactly Is Swinecress?
Swinecress is a low-growing forb – that’s gardening speak for a soft-stemmed plant that isn’t a grass, sedge, or woody shrub. These annual to biennial plants are part of the mustard family and have a knack for thriving where other plants struggle. Think of them as nature’s gap-fillers, though not necessarily the ones you’d choose for your carefully planned garden beds.
Where Does Swinecress Come From and Where Does It Grow?
Originally from Europe and Mediterranean regions, swinecress is now a non-native resident across much of North America. It has established itself from coast to coast, growing in an impressive list of locations including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, and many states in between, plus several Canadian provinces and even Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
This wide distribution tells you something important: swinecress is incredibly adaptable and not particularly picky about where it sets up shop.
Should You Plant Swinecress in Your Garden?
Here’s the short answer: probably not intentionally. While swinecress isn’t considered invasive or harmful, it’s also not what most gardeners would call attractive or useful. Here’s why:
- Limited ornamental value with tiny, inconspicuous white flowers
- Grows as a low, spreading mat that can look weedy
- Thrives in disturbed, poor-quality soil where you’d rather see something prettier
- As a non-native plant, it doesn’t provide the same ecological benefits as native alternatives
Native Alternatives to Consider Instead
If you’re looking for low-growing, hardy plants that can handle tough conditions, consider these native alternatives:
- Wild strawberry (Fragaria species) for groundcover with attractive flowers and berries
- Native sedums for dry, rocky areas
- Regional wildflowers adapted to your specific climate and soil conditions
- Native grasses that provide habitat for local wildlife
If Swinecress Shows Up Anyway
Given its widespread distribution, don’t be surprised if swinecress appears in your garden without an invitation. It particularly loves:
- Disturbed or compacted soil
- Areas with foot traffic
- Edges of driveways and walkways
- Any spot where proper garden plants struggle
If you find it growing where you don’t want it, simply pull it up – it’s not deeply rooted and comes out easily. Since it’s an annual to biennial plant, preventing it from setting seed will help control future populations.
The Bottom Line on Swinecress
While swinecress isn’t going to harm your garden or the environment in dramatic ways, it’s not going to enhance them either. Think of it as nature’s filler plant – functional but not fabulous. For gardeners focused on creating beautiful, ecologically beneficial spaces, your energy is better spent on native plants that offer more bang for your buck in terms of beauty, wildlife support, and garden performance.
Sometimes the most important gardening knowledge is knowing which plants to skip, and swinecress falls squarely into that category for most gardening situations.
