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AquaticBogsHerbs - Culinary

Nasturtium officinale
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

common watercress

A fast-growing, aquatic perennial to 20cm in height, forming dense colonies of floating and submerged rooting stems and edible foliage. A popular salad crop with oval, wavy-edged rich dark green leaves, and small white flowers from late spring to midsummer

Other common names
bank cress
brooklime
see morecraches
flixweed
fluxweed
water grass
water radish
watercress
well cress
Synonyms
Cardamine fontanum
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum
see moreRorippa nasturtium
Nasturtium aquaticum
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Brassicaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous or Semi evergreen
Habit
Floating, Submerged, Trailing
Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, wet soil or soil that is reliably moist through summer. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or rooted runners in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Harvest by pinching out regularly for a supply of young leaves

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails, aphids and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot and root rots

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