To grow watercress successfully, follow these key steps:
Growing Conditions
- Watercress prefers a position in light shade but can tolerate full sun if the soil or growing medium remains consistently wet
- It thrives in damp or wet soil and grows well in containers that sit in a saucer or tray filled with water to keep the roots moist
- The soil should be organically rich and kept moist at all times to prevent drying out
Planting and Sowing
- Sow watercress seeds outdoors in spring when soil temperatures reach at least 8°C (46°F), or start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date in pots or trays with moist seed compost
- Sow seeds just below the soil surface (about ¼ inch deep) and keep the soil damp for best germination, which occurs in 7 to 14 days
- When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them outdoors after hardening off, spacing plants about 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) apart or 8 inches apart according to different sources
Soil Preparation
- Before planting, enrich the soil with bulky organic matter such as garden compost to retain moisture and provide nutrients
- For container growing, use a soilless potting mix with good moisture retention, such as peat mixed with perlite or vermiculite
Watering and Maintenance
- Keep the soil or growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged; watercress roots must stay wet at all times
- If growing in containers, use a double-container setup where the inner pot holds soil and the outer pot holds water just below the inner pot’s base to maintain moisture without drowning roots
- Refresh water regularly to avoid stagnation and prevent root rot or algae buildup
Propagation
- Watercress can be propagated from seeds or stem cuttings. Stem cuttings root quickly in water and can be planted once roots are about 1 inch long
- Buying young plants with roots from a store and potting them up is also an option
By maintaining wet conditions, providing partial shade or sun, and using nutrient-rich soil or compost, watercress can be grown easily either outdoors or indoors in containers year-round
