Nasturtium officinale
common watercress (syn Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum)
Watercress, akin to kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, boasts a peppery flavour and thrives in gently flowing water, forming lush mats of nutritious foliage. Ideal for moist, sunlit spots, it can also be cultivated in water-filled containers to prolong its growing season.
This fast-growing aquatic perennial forms dense mats of both floating and submerged stems that creates habitat for shallow water organisms. Its oval, wavy-edged leaves, rich in dark green hues, make Nasturtium officinale a popular choice for salads, complemented by delicate white flowers that bloom from late spring to midsummer.
This fast-growing aquatic perennial forms dense mats of both floating and submerged stems that creates habitat for shallow water organisms. Its oval, wavy-edged leaves, rich in dark green hues, make Nasturtium officinale a popular choice for salads, complemented by delicate white flowers that bloom from late spring to midsummer.
How to care for Nasturtium officinale:
If using as a boggy/marginal aquatic, plant out in reliably moist or boggy soil, or pot up into a pond basket and place at the margins of a pond at a depth of 0-7cm (0-3in). Watercress prefers reliably wet soil so dot allow to dry out. Harvest/prune during the growing season once established. Choose our 9cm pot range for planting above the waterline, or our aquatic pot range for at below the water's surface.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.2m
Eventual spread:
1m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Aquatic / Reliably damp or boggy
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
