Watercress
Nasturtium officinale
Forget the running stream — watercress grows superbly in a pot stood in a deep saucer of water, refreshed every couple of days. Sow seed thinly on the surface of moist multipurpose compost in March or April (or buy a supermarket bag of watercress and root the stems in water). Keep the compost permanently waterlogged and the plants in light shade. Pick sprigs regularly from May to October; flowers signal the leaves will turn hot and bitter, so pinch them out. Bring containers indoors over winter on a cool, bright windowsill for year-round cropping. Packed with iron and vitamins, with a peppery bite that lifts salads, soups and sandwiches.
Plan where to grow Watercress using our vegetable garden planner.
When to Sow Watercress
Sow watercress in March, April, May, June, July.
Time to Harvest Watercress
Expect to harvest approximately 2 months after sowing, usually from May to October.
Companion Plants for Watercress
Expected Yield
A 20cm pot supplies regular sprigs for one person.
Pruning Watercress
Pinch out flowering shoots to keep the leaves tender, and cut stems back regularly to encourage bushy regrowth.
Common Problems with Watercress
Yellow, weak growth
Watercress is a hungry crop. Liquid feed every two weeks with a balanced fertiliser and never let the water run dry.
Bitter, hot leaves
Flowering and heat ruin flavour. Pinch out flower buds, keep cool in summer and refresh the water frequently — stagnant water encourages off-flavours.
Slimy roots or stagnant smell
Replace the standing water every 2–3 days, especially in warm weather, to keep oxygen levels up and prevent rot.
Watercress: common questions
When should I sow watercress in the UK?
Sow watercress from March to July. Sow under cover (a greenhouse, windowsill or heated propagator) and plant out once the weather has warmed.
How far apart should I plant watercress?
Space watercress about 10cm apart. It grows to around 20cm tall.
How long does watercress take to germinate?
Watercress seeds usually germinate in 7–10 days, depending on temperature.
When is watercress ready to harvest?
In the UK, watercress is usually harvested from May to October. It's ready about 2 months after sowing.
Does watercress come back every year?
Not in a typical UK garden. Watercress is a perennial in warmer climates but is killed by frost here, so it's grown as an annual and started again each year.
When should I prune watercress?
Pinch out flowering shoots to keep the leaves tender, and cut stems back regularly to encourage bushy regrowth.
What grows well with watercress?
Good companions for watercress include Mint and Parsley. See the companion plants section above for why each one helps.
Is watercress frost hardy?
Yes. Watercress is hardy and survives a normal UK winter outdoors.
Is watercress a brassica?
Yes. Watercress belongs in the brassicas group for crop rotation. Grow it in a different bed each year, alongside other brassicas, so pests and diseases don't build up in the soil.
Plan your watercress in the allotment planner
Drag and drop plants onto your plot and get personalised sowing reminders.
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