Watercress
Nasturtium officinale
Also listed as Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, Nasturtium nasturtium-aquaticum
Also known as Stercors
Climate Match for your location
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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.
Why grow it
Watercress occupies a distinct ecological niche as a semi-aquatic leafy green suited to cool-season production in riparian zones or constructed wetland edges where most garden vegetables cannot establish. Unlike terrestrial salad greens, it requires consistently moist to waterlogged conditions and performs better in cooler months, making it a specialized choice for permaculture systems that integrate water features or seasonal water management rather than a conventional replacement for spinach or lettuce.
Watch out for
Watercress has a narrow temperature and moisture sweet spot; it declines rapidly in hot weather and requires dependably clean, flowing or regularly refreshed water to prevent stagnation and associated pathogens. Harvesting should begin after plants are well established to avoid depleting young stands, and regular culling of older stems encourages bushier growth rather than sparse, woody plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Native Range
Europe, Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
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.
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Watercress grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Watercress occupies a distinct ecological niche as a semi-aquatic leafy green suited to cool-season production in riparian zones or constructed wetland edges where most garden vegetables cannot establish. Unlike terrestrial salad greens, it requires consistently moist to waterlogged conditions and performs better in cooler months, making it a specialized choice for permaculture systems that integrate water features or seasonal water management rather than a conventional replacement for spinach or lettuce.
Watch out for
Watercress has a narrow temperature and moisture sweet spot; it declines rapidly in hot weather and requires dependably clean, flowing or regularly refreshed water to prevent stagnation and associated pathogens. Harvesting should begin after plants are well established to avoid depleting young stands, and regular culling of older stems encourages bushier growth rather than sparse, woody plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Native Range
Europe, Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
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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.