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watercress

watercress

Nasturtium officinale

herbaceous⛅ part shade💧💧💧 high waterZone 2a – Zone 10b

Watercress is a crisp, peppery leafy green that grows in shallow water or very wet soil, producing small white flowers. It thrives in cool conditions and is commonly harvested for culinary use.

Overview

Form
Spreading
Growth Rate
fast
Size
0.5–1.5′ tall × 1–3′ wide
Dormancy
evergreen

Tolerances & Soil

none
Zone 2aZone 10b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 2a to Zone 10b

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Herb

Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

Europe, Western Asia

Function & Care

ediblemedicinaldynamic accumulatorwildlife benefit

Edible Parts

leafflowerseed

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Years to Bearing
0 years
Propagation
seed, cutting

Companion Planting

Plants well with

Notable Cultivars

Standard watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is widely cultivated; some regions grow brown cress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum subsp. microphyllum) as a cold-hardier variant with slightly smaller leaves.