When to plant Watercress in the UK

Nasturtium officinale

Watercress
Watercress · Nasturtium officinale

A hardy perennial leafy vegetable for containers of compost kept constantly wet with clean water. It grows best in cool conditions and light shade. Keep home-grown edible watercress separate from natural ponds and streams where water may be contaminated by livestock or wildlife.

20 cm · Partial Shade · High Water

Add to garden
Sow indoors March to May, plant out May to July, harvest May to December.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    late March to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds around late March to early May on the surface of moist compost in small pots or modules, then press them in lightly rather than burying them. Keep the compost constantly damp while they germinate, and sow a fresh batch every 21 days for a steady supply.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    late April to mid-June UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from late April, thin them so the strongest plants have room to spread. Keep the soil wet at all times, because even brief drying checks growth.

  3. 03

    Transplant

    early May to early July UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Move seedlings to their final container around early May to early July, spacing them apart in wet compost standing in shallow clean water. Water in thoroughly, keep the compost constantly wet, and refresh the standing water regularly. Do not use untreated water from streams or livestock ponds for edible leaves.

  4. 04

    Feed Plants

    early May to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From early May, give a very light liquid feed every 14 days only if growth slows. Avoid strong feeding that makes leaves coarse, remove weeds promptly, and keep the container topped up with clean water.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    mid-May to mid-December UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Start cutting from mid-May when plants are well rooted and the shoots are leafy. Pick little and often through to mid-December, taking the outer stems first and leaving the centre to regrow.