50-60 Days to maturity. Nasturtium officinale. Organic True Watercress Seeds. Non-GMO, semiaquatic perennial, heirloom. True Watercress is a delightful crop with numerous uses. This easy-to-grow herb is quick to mature and can be added to nearly any gardener’s repertoire. Harvest the tender leaves when young and add them to salads, sandwiches, soups, sauces, and more. The numerous health benefits are astounding with this leafy green. The distinct peppery taste is matched by none. Once you get a taste for it, you will keep going back to your garden for more every year! Great for hydroponic gardens. ~22,000 seeds/oz.

*The current lot has a 60% germination rate, which exceeds the minimum industry standard of 40%. However, due to the lower germination rate, we do not recommend using this lot for microgreens. Please note that lower germination rates are a characteristic of the variety, consistent with the 40% minimum standard.

Latin Name: Nasturtium officinale ’True’

Hardiness Zone: Annual in zones 2-5; Perennial in zones 5-11

Days to Maturity: 50-60

Days to Germination: 7-14

Seeding Depth: 0.25 inches

Plant Spacing: 0.5 inches, may thin to 4 inches apart

Row Spacing: 12-24 inches

Plant Height: 10-24 inches

Plant Width: 1-8 inches

Growth Habit: Small leaves grow on crisp stems.

Soil Preference: Hummus-rich, moist soil with a neutral pH. Near running water is best.

Temperature Preference: 50-60 degrees F

Light Preference: Full sun to partial shade.

Pests and Diseases: Watercress has no serious pests or diseases, but regularly monitor for slugs and flea beetles.

Organic True Watercress Color: Deep green foliage and light green stems.

Organic True Watercress Flavor: Peppery and lightly spicy

Easy/Hard: Easy

Direct Sow: Yes Direct Sow

Start Indoors: Yes Start Indoors

Growing Non-GMO Organic True Watercress Vegetable Seeds

True Watercress is easy to grow from seed and recommended for direct sowing outdoors after the last frost or in early autumn in temperate climates. Watercress may be grown indoors but keep in mind that they prefer cooler temperatures. For every 10 feet of watercress, work in a cup of balanced fertilizer or a generous amount of well-rotted compost. Seeds may be sown according to the spacing provided or broadcast sown. Keep the soil moist as this is a semiaquatic plant. Watercress prefers bright shade to maintain cool and moist soil conditions.

Watercress thrives just as readily in containers and pots as it does in a garden bed. You may need to increase irrigation frequencies in pots. To keep the soil adequately wet try sowing your seeds into a pot with soil, then keep your pot sitting in water. The water should be replaced regularly. It is recommended to plant at least 15-20 seeds together to form a nice mound of watercress that can support itself. Watercress can be grown quite close together but it will thrive best if thinned to about 4 inches apart.

Organic True Watercress in the Vegetable Garden

Watercress is a low-growing, cool-season plant that loves bright shade. Therefore, it thrives at the base of and in between those larger vegetable plants in your garden. Plant it around your squashes and other late-season plants before they bulk out. It thrives in cool, wet spring weather and will give you something to harvest quite quickly!

Harvesting Organic True Watercress

Watercress can be harvested anytime before it flowers. The texture of the leaves changes after flowering, and they become much less desirable. Cut the leaves and stems just above the soil level. Use it as soon as possible! For a continuous harvest, never harvest more than a third of the plant at a time. If the growth slows after your first harvest, fertilize.

About Organic True Watercress Garden Seeds

Nasturtium officinale can also be known as hedge mustard, yellowcress, and water rocket. In Asia, it comes with many names including xi yang choy, pani sag, cencil, koshoso, selada ayer, amat, kakkutu pala, phakkaat nam, sa lat xoong, and more.

Watercress can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be eaten raw, sauteed, pureed, and more. In Asian cuisine, it is very popular in soups where it is a main flavor component. In American cuisine, it is eaten most commonly fresh, in a salad mix, or on a sandwich.

Watercress comes with many health benefits. It contains plenty of vitamin C, carotenoids, and vital antioxidants. Eating the leaves fresh or very quickly cooked preserves the bulk of the nutrients.

Watercress is one of the oldest documented leafy greens to be consumed regularly by humans. It has been a staple in many cultures for thousands of years, and in many cases, it was considered a highly important medicinal herb.

Looking for great plants to grow in the wintertime under cloches or rows? Watercress is one of the best! It thrives in cooler temperatures and lower light. It is very popular for winter sowing in these situations.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"I have a very clear memory of my grandmother piling watercress leaves high on her chicken salad sandwich. When I was a kid, I turned my nose up at this because I didn’t like the peppery flavor. Now, I totally understand!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Organic Organic True Watercress Seeds Per Package:

1 g - Wholesale - Approximately 780 Seeds

0.25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 5,500 Seeds

1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 22,000 Seeds

4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 88,000 Seeds

1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 352,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Organic True Watercress seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.

Nasturtium Seeds - Empress of India

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