Land Cress.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Biennial herb

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

1 to 2 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent the leaves from becoming too spicy or tough. Watch for flea beetles which love to snack on the foliage. Harvest the outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth from the center.

Watering

Keep the soil damp but not waterlogged to ensure the best leaf flavor.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.

Pruning

Regularly harvest outer leaves to keep the plant productive and prevent premature bolting.

Repotting

Since it is typically grown as an annual or biennial, you will likely start fresh from seed each year.

Soil

Moist, fertile, well-draining soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-15 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered safe to eat in moderation, though it contains glucosinolates that may cause stomach upset if consumed in large quantities.

Children

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though standard supervision is advised to prevent ingestion of wild plants.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the raw sap.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger mild symptoms in sensitive individuals during the peak flowering period.

Edibility

While the leaves are edible, they can become quite bitter and tough once the plant begins to flower.

How to identify it

• Dark green pinnately lobed leaves
• Forms low growing basal rosettes
• Small yellow four petaled flowers
• Peppery scent when leaves crushed

Height

0.3 to 0.6m

Spread

0.2 to 0.4m

Leaves

dark green, semi-evergreen

Flowers

yellow, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

• Downy MildewCommon
• Flea BeetlesCommon
• Slugs and SnailsCommon
• BoltingUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring, early autumn

Plant this in a dedicated cool season patch to avoid competition with summer vegetables that require different soil moisture levels.

Grows well with

• Radish · They share similar growing requirements and timing.
• Lettuce · They make excellent partners in a cool season salad garden.
• Spinach · Both crops thrive in the cooler temperatures of spring and autumn.

Similar species

• Wintercress · It is a very close relative with similar growth habits and culinary uses.

Science

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Barbarea

Order

Brassicales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Southern Europe and Western Asia.

Conservation

This species is considered naturalized in many areas and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in damp, disturbed soils and colonizes open spaces quickly through prolific seed production.

Value to wildlife

early season nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

culinary greens, early spring salad addition, pollinator garden filler

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?

It can be aggressive in disturbed soils and may self seed freely in the garden.

Can I eat the flowers?

Yes, the flowers are edible and have a mild mustard flavor.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Barbarea honors Saint Barbara, as the plant was traditionally harvested around her feast day in December. The species name verna means of the spring.

Good to know

• It is a member of the mustard family.
• The leaves have a spicy, peppery flavor similar to watercress.
• It is a biennial that often acts as an annual in cultivation.
• It was historically used as a scurvy preventative by sailors.