Family: Brassicaceae
Binomial name: Lepidium sativum
Life Cycle: Biennial
Some other plants are known as ‘cress’ but are different species botanically. American Upland cress (Barbarea verna), also known as land cress, is grown in the same way as cress. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a different species botanically and has different growing requirements to cress.
Cress can be grown year-round in most climates. Avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather which can affect germination and growth. Use the table below to identify the best time of year to sow cress in your climate.
Cress plants are best grown in full sun or part shade. Choose a location that will receive at least 3 hours of full sun each day.
Cress plants need a well drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. Prepare soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to loosen it and adding aged animal manure or compost. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.
Cress plants can be grown in containers. If possible choose a variety that’s recommended for container growing. Use a good quality potting mix and make sure your container is large enough for mature plants; a minimum of 10 litres is recommended for cress. During the growing season, keep in mind that container grown plants may need additional fertiliser to encourage healthy growth.
Cress seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing.
Cress seeds grow best when they are sown directly into the garden.
Cress is a cool season crop that will bolt in very hot weather. Do not transplant seedlings or sow seeds outside in very warm temperatures.
Tip: Cress seeds can also be sown in the less formal ‘scatter seed’ method. Simply roughen the soil, scatter seeds evenly over the surface, then smooth the soil over lightly to cover the seeds.
Cress plants need regular watering during the growing season. Do not let soil dry out; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Learn more about watering here.
If soil was well prepared no extra fertiliser should be necessary. In poor soil or to give your plants an extra boost, application of a high-nitrogen fertiliser or one formulated for leafy greens or herbs can be beneficial:
Optional: To give plants room to grow, thin seedlings when they are large enough to handle. Pull out any weak or small seedlings so plants are spaced about 5-15cm apart.
Cress should be ready to harvest in approximately 15-50 days.
Cress is ready to harvest when the leaves are large enough to eat. Cress can be harvested as a 'cut and come again' crop by pinching or cutting a few outer leaves as needed, leaving some on the plant for future growth. Cress can be stored short term in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge.
Like all plants, cress is susceptible to some pests, diseases and other problems. Below is a list of the most common problems gardeners encounter when growing cress plants: