Water Cress

Water cress is a perennial Herb that is one of the fast growing plants with leaves and stems with a slightly tangy or peppery flavor. Watercress is very healthy for us as it contains vitamin A and C also rich in iron and calcium. Water cress is one of the oldest well known leafy vegetable consumed by humans and is grown for its super flavor. Watercress grows partially submerged in running water and flooded areas in moderately cool climates. Grow your own versatile kitchen leafy plant watercress and it can be used to make salad, delicious soups or added to smoothies and sandwiches.

Watercress Growing Season In India
Watercress grows rapidly in mild cool climates and the most favorable season for sowing seeds of watercress leafy plants is spring (February to April).

How To Grow Watercress In Container
Watercress is a leafy plant that grows best in mild cool and moist soil. Usually water cress seeds are sown directly instead of transplanting. To plant water cress, you need a pot or grow bag at least 36 cm deep with well-drained holes. Watercress plant germinates best in cool conditions (50-60°F or 10-15°C) but not frigid.
You can also grow water cress seeds as a microgreen on a windowsill and harvest the small leaves when the stem is about 5 cm high.

Water Cress Seeds Sowing Method
Take a pot fill with potting mix then sow the water cress seeds about 0.7 cm deep into the soil, 8-10 cm apart from each seeds. Keep the planting soil moist but not soggy. You can keep seedling indoor or outdoor in light temperature. Leafy watercress seeds germinate in 7-14 days (depending on growing conditions).

How To Fertilize Watercress Plant
Watercress is a low maintenance plant; it does not need any feed after planting. But if you want to apply any fertilizer, then use nitrogen rich liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks.

Watercress Care Tips
Water : Watercress need proper water to grow well; give regular water, keep soil moist and avoid over watering.
Soil : Watercress should be planted in consistently wet soil with a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
Sunlight : Watercress require at least 4-6 hours of natural sunlight every day.
Temperature : Ideal growing temperature for watercress is between 10-24 degree Celsius.
Common pests and disease : Some pests like snail, whiteflies and spider mites that can eat the leaves of watercress plant. To avoid these pests use neem oil spray on watercress plants.
Pruning : Cutting and pruning the plant will encourage them to be thicker and lush.

Water Cress Harvesting
• Within 20-30 days of seeds sowing, you can harvest watercress leaves.
• Cut the watercress leaves when they are about 10 cm high; regular harvesting will encourage their growth.
• Harvest the watercress leaves with scissor and then it will grow back at least once. And you'll enjoy a consistent harvest if you keep sowing seeds every few weeks.
• The leaves turn bitter when the plant starts producing their small white flowers.