broadleaf weed · annual

How to Kill Hairy Bittercress

Cardamine hirsuta

Hand-pull or digeasy to controlLawn & beds

What Hairy Bittercress looks like

Small rosette of rounded leaflets with tiny white flowers on upright stems. Seed pods explode when touched, flinging seeds several feet.

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Best approach: Hand-pull or dig

Very easy to pull by hand — shallow taproot comes out cleanly. The key is pulling BEFORE seed pods mature (they explode and fling seeds everywhere). Best pulled on a calm day.

Non-chemical management

Pull plants before seed pods mature — they explode when ripe. Mulch beds to prevent germination.

How to stop Hairy Bittercress coming back

Maintain thick mulch in beds. Pull or spray before the plant sets seed in early spring.

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FAQ

What does Hairy Bittercress look like?

Small rosette of rounded leaflets with tiny white flowers on upright stems. Seed pods explode when touched, flinging seeds several feet.

What's the best way to kill Hairy Bittercress?

Hand-pull or dig. Very easy to pull by hand — shallow taproot comes out cleanly. The key is pulling BEFORE seed pods mature (they explode and fling seeds everywhere). Best pulled on a calm day.

Is Hairy Bittercress hard to get rid of?

Hairy Bittercress is rated easy to control. Most homeowners can handle it in one or two treatments.

How do I stop Hairy Bittercress coming back?

Maintain thick mulch in beds. Pull or spray before the plant sets seed in early spring.

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