Nasturtium officinale – Watercress Large Leaved

$4.00

Nasturtium officinale (Watercress) is a perennial leafy vegetable that is native to large parts of Europe and Asia. Watercress can also be grown in water or soil and is a fast growing and heavy producer of mildly spicy leaves that make a great substitute for Spinach.

Suitable for Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.

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Nasturtium officinale (Watercress) is a perennial leafy vegetable that is native to large parts of Europe and Asia. Watercress can also be grown in water or soil and is a fast growing and heavy producer of mildly spicy leaves that make a great substitute for Spinach.

Suitable for Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.

Nasturtium officinale is also sometimes called Yellowcress and is a close relative to similar leafy vegetables such as Garden Cress, Mustards, Radish and Wasabi.

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Growth

Nasturtium officinale is a perennial aquatic plant that grows to a maximum height of around 50cm metres (20 inches) by 40cm (16 inches). Watercress is a rapid grower and can become invasive if allowed too much freedom. When grown in containers and protected from harsh sun or frost, Watercress can produce a regular supply of leafy spinach-like salad leaves.

If Watercress is exposed to cold temperatures below 5°C / 41°F the plant can become dormant and retreat until the warmer weather returns. Plants can also suffer heavy damage and can die from being exposed to harsh sunlight.

In ideal climates, it takes around 50-60 days to harvest leaves from Watercress.

Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.

For additional information visit our Growers Notes page or the list of the best gardening websites or check out the article about how to use your waste at home as a natural fertiliser.

FAMILY:
Brassicaceae

CLIMATE:

Temperate and Sub-Tropical.

TEMPERATURE RANGE:

5-25°C / 41-77°F

SOIL TYPE:

Well-draining.

LOCATION:

Part-Sun.

HEIGHT:

Up to 50cm (20 inches)

WIDTH:

Up to 40cm (16 inches)

pH:

6.5-7.5

GROWTH TYPE:

Perennial.

WATER REQUIREMENTS:

Medium

POLLINATION:

Bees, Hoverflies and Flies.

MATURITY:

50-60 days

GERMINATION RATES:

70-80%

GERMINATION TIME:

10-14 days at temperatures between 10-15°C / 50-62°F

GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:

Easy

SEEDS PER GRAM:

Approximately 4500

MEDICINAL QUALITIES:

No.

WEED POTENTIAL:

Yes.

EDIBLE:

Yes.

SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:

Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.

 

FACTS ABOUT NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE (Watercress)

Nasturtium officinale is one of the oldest known leaf vegetables to ever be consumed by humans and is well recorded in historical accounts.

Watercress was first commercially cultivated in the United Kingdom in 1808 by William Bradbery in Kent.

Nutritionally, Watercress is high in Vitamin K and is a good source of Vitamins C, A and Calcium.

The Ancient Romans believed eating Watercress would cure mental illness, while some Native Americans used it to treat kidney illnesses and constipation.

For more information regarding the medicinal properties of Sweet Marjoram please click here.

Weight 0.5 kg
Dimensions 26 × 16 × .5 cm
Quantity

10 Seeds, 20 Seeds, 50 Seeds, 100 Seeds, 200 Seeds, 500 Seeds

Germination Instructions

HOW TO GROW NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE (Watercress)

 

Note: Watercress can be grown in water but for ease of use in the modern kitchen these instructions have been aimed at growing in soil.

Step 1

Sow the seeds by pressing them into the surface of small pots filled with well-draining soil. A mixture that has a portion of garden sand mixed through is ideal.

Moisten the soil and leave the pots in a bright location but not in direct sunlight.

The ideal temperature for germination is between 10-15°C / 50-62°F. Germination can take around 10-14 days.

Step 2

It is recommended to grow Watercress seedlings in pots as they can become invasive. Additionally, they can then be moved to avoid any frost in Winter or harsh direct sunlight in Summer.

If transplanting into the ground, wait until after the last frost and when daytime temperatures consistently reach a minimum of 10°C/50°F. The final position should be in Semi-shade or exposed to some morning sun but not the afternoon. Finish transplanting by watering in the seedlings.

Step 3

Even when established, plants won’t tolerate temperatures below 10°C/50°F and will become dormant until warmer weather returns.

The leaves of Watercress can be ready to harvest in between 50-60 days from sowing.

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