Watercress is an aquatic plant that is part of the Brassicaceae family. It is a hardy, semi-aquatic perennial that grows in slow-moving water and wet soils. Watercress is a low-growing plant with bright green, succulent leaves and small white flowers. It has a mild, peppery flavor and is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and other minerals. It is a popular ingredient in salads, soups, and sandwiches, and is also used to make teas and juices.
Planning Your Garden With Watercress
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Watercress is an annual. |
| USDA Zone | Watercress is hardy in USDA Zones 3-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Watercress is fairly cold tolerant, and can usually survive temperatures as low as 28. |
| Days to harvest | Watercress can be harvested as soon as it is 4-6 inches tall, which usually takes about 10-14 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown watercress plant is about 6-12 inches in height and 6-12 inches in width. |
| Spacing requirements | Watercress grows best in a moist, shady environment with a spacing of approximately 6 inches between each plant. |
| Sun tolerance | Watercress is a sun-loving plant and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. |
| Shade tolerance | Watercress is a shade-tolerant plant, able to grow in partial shade to full sun. It prefers moist, shady spots with plenty of water. |
| Water requirements | Watercress is a fast-growing aquatic plant that thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil and requires plenty of water to grow. Watercress prefers a pH level of 6.5 to 7.5 and should be watered regularly, preferably twice a day, to keep the soil moist. It is best to water watercress in the morning and evening when temperatures are cooler. During the summer months, watercress may need to be watered more often. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer used when growing watercress will depend on the type of fertilizer used and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be used at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing watercress is 6.0 to 7.5. |
Why Watercress is Popular
People like to grow watercress because it is a fast-growing, nutritious vegetable that can be harvested in just a few weeks. It is also a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as iron and calcium. Additionally, watercress has a mild, peppery flavor that can be used in salads, soups, and sandwiches.
Companion Plants For Watercress
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for watercress include:
Common Pests For Watercress
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow watercress, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- snails
- leaf miners
- slugs
- aphids
- caterpillars
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
