Common Name:
Watercress
Description:
Watercress is a fast-growing, semi-aquatic leafy green herb prized for its crisp texture and distinctive peppery flavour, making it a popular addition to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. This nutrient-rich plant produces small, rounded green leaves on succulent stems and thrives in consistently moist to wet conditions, often grown in shallow running water or damp soil. In Melbourne’s climate, watercress performs best in a cool, partially shaded position with access to clean water, and it can be grown successfully in pots, water features, or garden beds kept consistently moist. It grows vigorously through the cooler months of spring, autumn, and mild winter periods, with flowering typically occurring in warmer conditions. Regular harvesting encourages fresh, tender growth and helps prevent the plant from becoming leggy or overly bitter.
Form:
*Ground Cover
*Herbaceous
Mature Size:
Height: 20–50 cm
Width: 30–60 cm
Aspect:
*Full Sun
*Part Shade
Flowering:
*Flowers in Spring
*Flowers in Summer
Flower Colour:
White
Key Attributes:
*Suitable for Pots
*Edible Leaves
*Herbaceous
*Perennial
*Fast Growing
*Suitable for Wet Areas
*Requires consistently moist to wet conditions
*Can become invasive in natural waterways if not managed
Toxicity:
Generally non-toxic to humans and animals when grown in clean water conditions. Avoid consumption if grown in contaminated or stagnant water due to potential health risks.
Companion Plants:
Mint
Parsley
Chives
Lettuce
Taro
Sweet Flag (Acorus)
