Nasturtium Officinale (Water Cress)
Nasturtium Officinale (Water Cress)
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Nasturtium Officinale (Water Cress) is a fast-growing, aquatic perennial herb valued for its crisp, peppery-flavoured leaves and exceptional nutritional benefits. Commonly used in salads, sandwiches, soups, and garnishes, it is considered one of the most nutrient-dense leafy greens available. Its small, rounded deep green leaves form dense trailing growth that thrives in consistently moist conditions, making it ideal for water gardens, stream edges, and hydroponic systems.
Highly productive and easy to grow in the right environment, Water Cress prefers cool, shaded to partially sunny positions with constant access to clean, fresh water. It establishes quickly and provides continuous harvests of tender new growth throughout the year. With its fresh flavour, vigorous growth habit, and suitability for edible water-based planting systems, this herb is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a highly nutritious and rewarding crop.
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Mature height
10cm – 30cm (can trail to 60cm+)
Mature width
30cm – 60cm+
Spacing
20cm – 30cm apart
Evergreen/Deciduous
Perennial (evergreen in suitable moist conditions)
Foliage
Small, rounded to oval deep green leaves with a crisp, peppery flavour and tender texture
Flowering Period & Fruit Development/Harvest
Produces small white flowers in spring to summer; leaves are harvested continuously year-round in suitable conditions before flowering for best flavour
Sun tolerance
Partial shade to full sun (prefers cool, shaded, and consistently moist environments)
Maintenance
Low maintenance in suitable wet conditions; requires constant water supply or saturated soil; regular harvesting encourages fresh, tender growth
Root System
Shallow, creeping, water-adapted root system that spreads easily in wet soils, streams, or aquatic planting systems