Nasturyium Watercress Seeds

Nasturtium officinale Watercress

Nasturtium officinale Watercress is a lush, semi-aquatic perennial green, valued for its succulent stems and bold, peppery flavor profile. Growing to about 6 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches, this variety is perfect for water gardens, hydroponic systems, or containers with deep saucers where constant moisture can be maintained. Unlike standard garden lettuces, Watercress thrives in wet conditions and offers a pungent, spicy kick similar to wasabi or mustard greens, providing a nutrient-dense "superfood" harvest almost year-round in mild climates.

Culinary and Practical Uses

• The crisp, peppery leaves and stems are a gourmet staple in salads and sandwiches, adding a spicy crunch that cuts through rich ingredients like cream cheese or smoked salmon.
• Excellent when wilted into soups or blended into sauces, where cooking mellows the sharp heat into a savory, herbal depth.
• Traditionally used as a potent digestive aid and is renowned as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables available, packed with vitamins K, C, and A.

Characteristics

• Foliage: Dark green, compound leaves with rounded leaflets on hollow, succulent stems; the flavor is sharp and spicy, intensifying as the plant matures or temperatures rise.
• Growth Habit: Creeping and sprawling with a semi-aquatic nature; plants root easily at the nodes where stems touch soil or water, creating a dense mat of greens.
• Flowers: Produces small clusters of tiny, four-petaled white flowers in late spring to summer, which attract beneficial insects but signal that the leaves may turn bitter.

• Seeds: Harvested from slender seed pods (siliques) that form after flowering; seeds are very small and can be saved, though the plant propagates easily from stem cuttings.

Growing Requirements

• Sun: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; prefers partial shade during hot summer afternoons to prevent scorching and bitterness.
• Soil: Requires consistently wet, saturated soil or aquatic growing media; thrives in slightly alkaline conditions (pH 6.5–7.5).
• Water: Essential for growth; plants must be kept constantly moist or submerged in shallow, moving water (or fresh water changed daily in containers) to thrive.
• Spacing: Plant seeds or transplants 8 to 12 inches apart to allow the spreading stems to cover the surface area.
• Maintenance: Harvest leaves and stem tips frequently to encourage bushy growth and delay flowering; flush water regularly if growing in containers to prevent stagnation.

Shipping Info

Watercress seeds ship as fresh, high-quality, viable seeds that are carefully packaged for stability and protection from damage during transit. Prompt shipping supports reliable germination and seasonally appropriate planting.