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Microgreens · Nasturtium officinale
Watercress
Watercress is a small oval leaves on slender stems microgreen. Ready from roughly day 60. Germination takes 3-5 days. Space 1-2 inches apart. Indoor.
60days to harvest
3-5 daysdays to germinate
Z1–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
Sowing
Direct sow on moist soil in trays or containers, cover lightly
Cultivation
- Sun
- Indoor
- Water
- Frequent, consistent moisture required
- Soil
- Fertile, consistently moist soil
- Spacing
- 1-2 inches
- Height
- 4-8 inches
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Dark green
- Shape
- Small oval leaves on slender stems
- Flavour
- Peppery, slightly spicy with fresh, intense watercress character
In the kitchen
Salad garnish, soup topping, sandwich enhancement, smoothie ingredient, fish and poultry accompaniment
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Fungus gnats, aphids, spider mites
- Diseases
- Damping off, powdery mildew, root rot from excessive moisture
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 2 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 3 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 4 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 5 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 6 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 7 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 8 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 9 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 10 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 11 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 12 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 13 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
Companion planting
16 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 6 to avoid.
ChivesRepels aphids and improves flavor while providing natural pest deterrent
LettuceSimilar growing conditions and water requirements, mutual shade protection
SpinachCompatible water and shade requirements, efficient use of garden space
MintThrives in similar moist conditions and helps repel ants and rodents
ParsleySimilar moisture needs and attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies
CeleryBoth prefer consistently moist soil and cool growing conditions
RadishesQuick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters pests
GarlicNatural fungicide properties help prevent damping-off disease in watercress
MintShares similar water requirements and helps repel ants and rodents
ParsleyCompatible growing conditions and attracts beneficial insects
ChivesNatural pest deterrent and shares preference for moist conditions
LettuceSimilar water needs and harvest timing for microgreens
SpinachCompatible cool-season crop with similar growing requirements
CilantroThrives in cool, moist conditions and attracts beneficial insects
ArugulaFellow brassica family member with similar water and temperature needs
DillAttracts beneficial insects and tolerates high moisture conditions
Avoid
CarrotsDifferent water requirements - carrots prefer well-drained soil while watercress needs constant moisture
TomatoesRequire warm, well-drained conditions opposite to watercress's cool, wet preferences
FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit growth of most plants including watercress
RadishMay compete aggressively for water and nutrients in microgreen setup
FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit growth of most plants including watercress
SunflowerReleases allelopathic compounds that can inhibit watercress germination
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Calories (per 100 g)
- 69
- Protein (g)
- 1.5
- Fat (g)
- 0.1
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 17.6
- Fibre (g)
- 5.3
- Sugars (g)
- 8.55
- Vitamin A (µg)
- 5
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 54.1
- Calcium (mg)
- 8
- Iron (mg)
- 1.61
- Magnesium (mg)
- 24
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 47
- Potassium (mg)
- 304
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.31
Where to buy seed and equipment
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the microgreens growing guide.
Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
DarkGrow forum
Grown Watercress?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other microgreens with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Watercress suits these too.
- Red Amaranth Microgreens 65 days
- Beet Microgreens 55 days
- Red Cabbage Microgreens 68 days
- Cabbage Microgreens 68 days
- Fennel Microgreens 50 days
- Lemon Balm Microgreens 70 days