Heirloom

Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

Wikimedia Commons

Watercress microgreens are delicate, tender sprouts with small rounded cotyledons and thin stems, harvested at 10-14 days for optimal flavor. These heirloom microgreens mature quickly in moist indoor conditions, delivering an intensely peppery, slightly spicy bite characteristic of full-sized watercress. Rich in vitamins and minerals, watercress microgreens add a distinctive sharp, fresh zing to salads, sandwiches, and Asian dishes. Their vibrant green color and peppery punch make them a favorite among chefs seeking bold flavor from a compact, nutrient-dense green.

Harvest

60d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Indoor

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

4-8 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Harvest

Start Indoors

Harvest

Showing dates for Watercress in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 microgreen →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Watercress · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing1-2 inches

SoilFertile, consistently moist soil

WaterFrequent, consistent moisture required

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorPeppery, slightly spicy with fresh, intense watercress character

ColorDark green

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 4	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 5	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 6	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 7	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 8	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 9	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 10	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 1	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 2	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 11	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 12	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 13	January – December	—	—	January – December

Succession Planting

Watercress microgreens hit harvestable size around day 60 from sow, but you don't need to wait for one tray to finish before starting another. Stagger a new tray every 10–14 days and you'll cut continuously without a gap. Since this is an indoor crop with no seasonal ceiling, that cadence runs year-round — January through December, no adjustments needed for heat or frost.

The thing that breaks the rhythm isn't season — it's letting your supplies run low. Keep a bag of coconut coir, a stack of clean trays, and enough seed on hand so starting a new batch takes under 10 minutes. Let the system lapse for three weeks and you'll end up with nothing ready, then three trays ready at once.

Complete Growing Guide

Growing Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) microgreen. Light: Indoor. Hardy in USDA zones 1 to 11. Days to maturity: 16. Difficulty: Easy.

Harvesting

Ready for harvest in 16 days from sowing or transplant. Harvest at peak ripeness for best flavor and storage life. Pick regularly to encourage continued production where applicable.

Storage & Preservation

Harvest watercress microgreens at day 16 and store immediately in a sealed container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Keep at 32–40°F in the refrigerator, where they'll hold quality for 5–7 days. Higher humidity promotes faster deterioration, so ensure good air circulation within the container.

For longer preservation, freezing works well: blanch briefly (30 seconds) to preserve color and texture, then pack in freezer bags for up to three months. Alternatively, dry the microgreens in a low oven (95–105°F) or dehydrator until completely crisp, then store in airtight jars away from light. Watercress microgreens develop a sharper, more peppery bite as they age, so consider harvesting slightly earlier if milder flavor is preferred, then consuming fresh within 2–3 days for the most tender texture.

History & Origin

Watercress is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Watercress or yellowcress is a species of aquatic flowering plant in the cabbage family, Brassicaceae.

Advantages

+Easy to grow — beginner-friendly
+Quick harvest — ready in about 16 days
+Wide hardiness — grows in USDA zones 1-11

Companion Plants

Watercress grown as a microgreen lives in a tray, not a bed, so "companion planting" here is really about what you grow on the same shelf or table. Herbs like mint, chives, and parsley make decent neighbors — not because they form some symbiotic bond, but because their volatile oils can slow aphid and fungus gnat drift between trays, and they don't throw off your irrigation rhythm. Lettuce, spinach, and arugula are the most practical groupings: all three want the same frequent moisture and indirect indoor light that watercress needs, so you're not constantly adjusting conditions tray by tray.

Fennel is worth keeping off the shelf entirely. It produces anethole and other allelopathic compounds that suppress germination and early root development — watercress seedlings in the 3–7 day window are thin-stemmed enough that even mild chemical interference shows up as patchy, uneven germination. Radish isn't toxic to nearby trays, but it matures faster and grows taller, and if your shelving is tight it'll shade out slower crops before you realize what's happening.

Plant Together

Mint

Shares similar water requirements and helps repel ants and rodents

Parsley

Compatible growing conditions and attracts beneficial insects

Chives

Natural pest deterrent and shares preference for moist conditions

Lettuce

Similar water needs and harvest timing for microgreens

Spinach

Compatible cool-season crop with similar growing requirements

Cilantro

Thrives in cool, moist conditions and attracts beneficial insects

Arugula

Fellow brassica family member with similar water and temperature needs

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects and tolerates high moisture conditions

Keep Apart

Radish

May compete aggressively for water and nutrients in microgreen setup

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most plants including watercress

Sunflower

Releases allelopathic compounds that can inhibit watercress germination

Nutrition Facts

Calories

69kcal(3%)

Protein

1.5g(3%)

Fiber

5.3g(19%)

Carbs

17.6g(6%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

54.1mg(60%)

Vitamin A

5mcg(1%)

Iron

1.61mg(9%)

Calcium

8mg(1%)

Potassium

304mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167782)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Fungus gnats, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Damping off, powdery mildew, root rot from excessive moisture

Troubleshooting Watercress

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at the soil line within the first 7–10 days after germination

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — fungal rot triggered by overly wet growing medium with poor airflow
Sowing too densely, which traps moisture and cuts off air circulation between stems

What to Do

1.Back off on watering — the medium should stay moist, not saturated; let the top 1/4 inch dry slightly between waterings
2.Spread seeds to maintain roughly 1–2 inches between plants so air can move
3.If it keeps happening, switch to a sterile soilless medium like coconut coir and sanitize your trays between batches

Tiny flies hovering around the growing medium; seedlings wilting or growing slowly despite adequate watering

Likely Causes

Fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.) — larvae feed on roots in consistently wet medium, which watercress almost demands
Keeping the medium surface perpetually wet, which is where adults lay eggs

What to Do

1.Set yellow sticky traps just above the tray to catch adults and track how bad it's gotten
2.Water from the bottom by tray-soaking so the surface layer dries out between sessions — gnat larvae need that wet top inch
3.Apply a Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench like Gnatrol if the infestation is heavy; it kills larvae without harming the crop

White powdery coating on leaves, usually appearing after day 30 in low-airflow indoor conditions

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — thrives in stagnant indoor air, especially when temperatures hold between 60–80°F
Overcrowded trays that prevent any airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Point a small fan at the trays on low — even 20–30 minutes of airflow per day makes a measurable difference
2.Cut and use affected trays immediately; at the microgreen stage you're harvesting anyway, so don't wait it out
3.For future batches, sow a bit thinner and keep indoor humidity below 70% if you can manage it

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow watercress microgreens?▼

Watercress microgreens typically reach harvest maturity in 10-14 days from sowing. They germinate within 3-5 days and develop their characteristic true leaves quickly. The exact timeline depends on temperature, light, and humidity conditions. Indoor growing under controlled conditions usually results in consistent 10-14 day harvests, making watercress a relatively fast microgreen crop.

Can you grow watercress microgreens in containers?▼

Yes, watercress grows exceptionally well in containers and is actually recommended for container cultivation. Shallow trays, terracotta pots, and specialized microgreen growing containers all work well. The advantage of container growing is better moisture control, which is essential since watercress requires consistently moist conditions. Containers also make it easier to manage the frequent watering this variety demands.

Is watercress microgreen good for beginners?▼

Watercress microgreens are rated as easy to grow, making them suitable for beginners. However, they require more attention than other cress varieties due to their high moisture needs. The key is maintaining consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Beginners should monitor watering carefully and ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues. With proper attention to these details, beginners can successfully grow watercress.

What does watercress microgreen taste like?▼

Watercress microgreens have an excellent, peppery flavor with a slightly spicy bite characteristic of the watercress family. They offer a more intense taste than mature watercress leaves and provide both nutritional density and culinary impact. The flavor profile is fresh, slightly peppery, and somewhat pungent, making them ideal for garnishes and salads where a bold taste is desired.

What are the best uses for watercress microgreens in cooking?▼

Watercress microgreens are versatile in the kitchen. Use them as a fresh garnish for soups, sandwiches, and salads to add peppery flavor and visual appeal. They work well in Asian cuisines, smoothies, and juices for their nutritional benefits. Their bold flavor complements mild dishes and proteins. They can also be used as a bed under fish or poultry dishes to add both taste and elegant presentation.

Why does watercress require more attention than other microgreen varieties?▼

Watercress demands more care primarily because it requires consistently moist soil and fertile growing conditions to thrive. It's less tolerant of drying out compared to other cresses and needs frequent watering. Additionally, the moist environment can create conditions favorable to fungal diseases and pests if air circulation isn't maintained. Careful monitoring of moisture levels and good ventilation are essential for successful cultivation.