Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, keep the pot sitting in a tray of water to mimic its natural habitat.

Snip the stems just above the water line, leaving the roots to regrow.

Plant guide

Watercress.

Nasturtium officinale

Pronounced nas-TUR-shee-um oh-fiss-ih-NAH-lee

Also known as Watercress

Watercress is a delightful, peppery aquatic plant that loves to grow in cool, running water. It is a fast growing perennial that brings a fresh, spicy kick to salads and sandwiches. You will find it thrives best when its roots are kept consistently wet or even submerged.

Another photo of Watercress — Photo by Isabella Paleari (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Aquatic perennial
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every day
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil or growing medium constantly saturated to mimic its natural stream habitat. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the water is not fresh enough or the plant is too dry. Ensure the water remains cool and clean to prevent rot.

Watering: The roots must remain submerged or in waterlogged soil at all times.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer sparingly if the plants appear stunted.
Pruning: Regularly harvest the stems to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Repotting: Refresh the growing medium or move to a larger container if the roots become too crowded.
Soil: Aquatic or very moist soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Temperature: 0 to 25°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 2 to 3 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the bottom of the pot.
Stunted growth despite adequate water.
Water in the tray drying out too quickly.

Safety

People: It is generally safe to eat, but excessive consumption may cause stomach irritation.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children, though they should be supervised near water sources.
Contact allergens: The sap can occasionally cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen is not typically a significant airborne allergen.
Edibility: Watercress must be harvested from clean, flowing water to avoid contamination by liver flukes or harmful bacteria.

How to identify it

Small, rounded, dark green leaves
Hollow, succulent, branching stems
Tiny, four petaled white flowers
Peppery, mustard like flavor profile

Height: 0.1 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.3 to 1m
Leaves: green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: green, Summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Leaf SpotCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
WhiteflyCommon
BoltingUncommon
White RustUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In cold climates, move containers indoors to a bright, cool spot or ensure the water does not freeze solid.
In containers: It grows well in containers if kept constantly wet in a deep saucer of water.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Place the cutting in a glass of clean water.
3. Wait for roots to appear after a few days.
4. Transplant into a wet medium or keep in water.

Group watercress with other moisture loving herbs to simplify your watering routine.

Grows well with

Mint · Both plants enjoy consistent moisture and similar growing conditions.

Similar species

Bittercress · It shares a similar peppery flavor and appearance but prefers drier soil.

Science

Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Nasturtium
Order: Brassicales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Asia.
Conservation: It is a common plant and not of conservation concern.

It grows in shallow, cool, flowing water where it filters nutrients through its roots.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary herb, garnish, salad green

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 9/9
Nutrients: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, keep the pot sitting in a tray of water to mimic its natural habitat.
How do I harvest it?: Snip the stems just above the water line, leaving the roots to regrow.

Where the name comes from

The name Nasturtium comes from the Latin nasus tortus, meaning twisted nose, referring to the pungent reaction to its peppery leaves.

Good to know

Watercress is a member of the mustard family.
It was once used as a remedy for scurvy due to high vitamin C content.
The plant grows best in cold, clear, running water.

Keep your watercress growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.