How to grow Watercress?
- Latin Family: Brassicaceae
- Latin Genus: Nasturtium
- Ease of Growing: Moderate
- Growing Type: Perennial
Watercress is a freshwater-loving member of the mustard family, rich in vitamins, and used in salads to impart a mustard-like flavor. The cultivation of Watercress is rather specialized because of specific habitat requirements, but it grows easily enough if given the right conditions. Growing Watercress for yourself ensures that it is safe for use raw, which isn’t always the case with plants gathered from the wild.
Watercress History
Watercress is highly nutritious and has been regarded as a special food for several thousand years. However for most of this time it has been gathered from the wild, rather than cultivated. In Europe it was once grown in special Watercress beds, created beside streams to take advantage of the slowly flowing water.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.0 - 8.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.5 - 7.5
It will grow in any wet soil, so long as it isn’t too still or stagnant (which can cause the plants to rot). It does best in a limey soil with plenty of [humus].
How to care for Watercress?
The cultivation of Watercress is rather specialized, because of specific habitat requirements, but it grows easily enough if given the right conditions. If growing on dry land, instead of in the water, be sure to keep the soil very moist.
Water
Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water, it can be grown on dry land. However care must be taken to keep it moist and it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of [organic matter]), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out. It's also wise to plant Watercress in the shade so that the soil does not dry out as fast. Watercress will need frequent watering if it isn’t growing in water (every day in dry weather). For good growth the soil must be kept moist all the time.
Fertilizer
Watercress is accustomed to being bathed in nutrients as they float by, so it needs a fertile soil. If the soil isn’t very fertile you should give it an occasional feed of [compost tea] or [liquid kelp].
Seeds
Seed Viability: 2 - 5 years
Watercress flowers have both male and female organs and are pollinated by bees and flies. The plant is also self-fertile so it produces seed easily, you just have to collect it when the pods mature. It often self sows in ponds.
Watercress is often propagated vegetatively, so you may not even need to save seed.
Light
Part shade
Watercress will do well in a partially shady place and won’t need as much water if it is out of direct sunlight.
Conditions:Cool, Warm
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Watercress leaves can be stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but the leaves are much better if picked directly before use.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-3 days
Problems
Watercress Types
- Watercress
Watercress is a freshwater-loving member of the mustard family, rich in vitamins, and used in salads to impart a mustard-like flavor. The cultivation of Watercress is rather specialized, because of specific habitat requirements, but it grows easily enough if given the right conditions. Growing Watercress for yourself ensures that it is safe for use raw, which isn’t always the case with plants gathered from the wild.
Pests
- Flea Beetle
- Aphids
- Cabbageworms
- Caterpillars
- Stink Bug
- Leafhoppers
- Slugs and snails
Diseases
- Aster Yellows
- Mosaic Virus (Several species)
- Cercospora Leaf Spot
- Damping Off
- Black Rot
Related Plants
Greens, Juicing
Sprouts
Seacale
Kohlrabi
Collards
Anise
Caraway
Cumin
Cauliflower
Culantro