Watercress is a perennial water-loving plant and is closely related to cabbage and arugula, but is still well suited to growing in pots. However, it is important that the pot is in the right place afterwards.
How to grow watercress in a pot?
To grow watercress in a pot you need a plastic pot with a drainage layer, a mixture of garden soil, coarse sand and compost, a partially shaded location and regular water supply including replacement every two days.
The ideal pot for watercress
As a water-loving plant, watercress needs a lot of moisture. This lasts longer in a plastic pot than in a terracotta pot. Ideally, the watercress planter is one size larger than usual and the inner pot has a good drainage layer made of broken clay or coarse gravel. This means that the watercress can always draw water well.
The right potting soil
The soil at the edge of a running body of water is ideal for watercress. If the watercress is in the garden bed, the soil should be somewhat clayey so that it retains moisture well and does not dry out so easily. For growing in a pot, we recommend a mixture of garden soil, coarse sand and some compost.
Sowing watercress
You can easily sow watercress yourself. Use purchased or self-collected seeds. Sprinkle this onto potting soil and press it down a little without covering it with soil, because watercress is a light germinator. At temperatures around 20 °C and sufficient light, it will germinate after about 7 to 20 days.
The ideal location
Watercress does not tolerate full sun. Give it a semi-shady to shady place, it will feel more comfortable there. If you want to use watercress regularly for cooking, then the ideal location is of course the kitchen. If the sun doesn't shine directly on the window, place the watercress on the window sill.
Watering correctly
The most important thing when caring for your watercress is proper water supply. This includes not only watering but also regular water replacement. Watercress needs oxygen-rich water. Stale water contains virtually no oxygen, so change your watercress water completely every two days.
The most important cultivation tips:
- keep well moist
- more in the shade
- change the water every two days
Tips & Tricks
As soon as your watercress is at least ten centimeters tall, you can start harvesting the delicately spicy, slightly spicy herb.