How to Grow Watercress
Nasturtium officinale
Your complete guide to growing Watercress.
📷 Wikipedia: WatercressWhen to Plant Watercress
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | January – December | June – July | January – December |
| Zone 2 | January – December | May – July | January – December |
| Zone 3 | January – December | May – June | January – December |
| Zone 4 | January – December | April – June | January – December |
| Zone 5 | January – December | April – May | January – December |
| Zone 6 | January – December | April – May | January – December |
| Zone 7 | January – December | March – May | January – December |
| Zone 8 | January – December | March – April | January – December |
| Zone 9 | January – December | February – March | January – December |
| Zone 10 | January – December | January – March | January – December |
| Zone 11 | January – December | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 12 | January – December | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 13 | January – December | January – February | January – December |
Companion Plants for Watercress
✓ Good companions
Fellow brassica family member with similar water and temperature needs
Both prefer consistently moist soil and cool growing conditions
Natural pest deterrent and shares preference for moist conditions
Repels aphids and improves flavor while providing natural pest deterrent
Thrives in cool, moist conditions and attracts beneficial insects
Attracts beneficial insects and tolerates high moisture conditions
Natural fungicide properties help prevent damping-off disease in watercress
Similar growing conditions and water requirements, mutual shade protection
Similar water needs and harvest timing for microgreens
Shares similar water requirements and helps repel ants and rodents
Thrives in similar moist conditions and helps repel ants and rodents
Compatible growing conditions and attracts beneficial insects
Similar moisture needs and attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies
Quick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters pests
Compatible cool-season crop with similar growing requirements
Compatible water and shade requirements, efficient use of garden space
✗ Keep away from
Different water requirements - carrots prefer well-drained soil while watercress needs constant mois…
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most plants including watercress
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most plants including watercress
May compete aggressively for water and nutrients in microgreen setup
Releases allelopathic compounds that can inhibit watercress germination
Require warm, well-drained conditions opposite to watercress's cool, wet preferences
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
