Watercress' natural habitat is at the edge of a clean flowing body of water, as it requires plenty of oxygen-rich water. If the plant does not automatically get fresh water, you have to change the water at least every two days.

The best location for watercress

In addition to sufficient water, the watercress likes shade or at least semi-shade. It tolerates too much sun just as little as drought. If you have a pond in your garden, place your watercress there. However, the water must be rich in oxygen, ideally with a constant supply of fresh water. A pond pump can help.

If your watercress gets a place in the vegetable patch, it needs to be watered every day. With pond liner or a planter sunk into the ground, you can create a swamp or pond bed so that the watercress feels comfortable.

The best time to plant watercress

In principle, watercress can be planted all year round. However, replanting in spring or early summer is ideal. Then the plant has enough time to take root and spread well before winter.

The propagation of watercress

Watercress is easily propagated by cuttings or by dividing larger plants. Divided plants are simply planted elsewhere. Cuttings need time to form new roots. To do this, break off a shoot at a root branch and put it in a plant pot with a mixture of sand and fine compost.

Water the shoot well and change the water every two days. Only when strong roots have formed do you plant the watercress in the garden. If you have already started the propagation in the spring, your watercress will be robust enough to survive the winter outdoors.

Sow watercress

If you want to sow watercress, simply use the seeds from the ripe pods of your flowered watercress. If you don't have watercress, you can get seeds from a nursery. Sowing takes place in watertight pots, because the potting soil must always be kept moist.

The essentials in brief:

  • semi-shady to shady location
  • regular fresh water supply
  • easy propagation

tips and tricks

Watercress grows best directly in the water, then it also requires the least care.

Category:

Vegetable garden