Cress Seeds

Why Grow Cress?

Cress Seeds for Different Growing Goals

Cress varieties vary significantly in their preferred growing conditions. Garden cress is selected for speed and easy tray production, while watercress and upland cress are generally grown for more established leafy plants.

Garden Cress, Watercress and Upland Cress

What Does Cress Taste Like?

Cress generally has a fresh, peppery or mustard-like flavour. The strength depends on the variety, growing conditions and harvest stage.

How Fast Does Cress Grow?

Cress is regarded as a fast crop, but the harvest period depends on the species and the stage at which it is cut. Garden cress grown for young shoots is substantially faster than mature watercress or upland cress.

Growing time is affected by variety, temperature, light, moisture, sowing density and the stage at which the crop is harvested.

When to Plant Cress in Australia

Garden cress and upland cress generally perform best during cool to mild weather. Watercress also prefers mild conditions with continuous access to moisture. In protected environments, garden cress can be produced through much of the year.

These periods are general guides. Local temperature, elevation, seasonal weather and protected growing conditions may change the most suitable sowing time.

How to Germinate Cress Seeds

Garden cress seed germinates quickly and does not require deep planting. It can be grown in seed-raising mix, fine potting mix or on a moisture-retentive mat where the crop will be harvested young.

1. Choose a clean growing container.
   Use a shallow tray, punnet or pot with drainage where soil or another growing medium is used.
2. Prepare the growing medium.
   Fill the container with fine, free-draining mix and moisten it evenly before sowing.
3. Sow the seed near the surface.
   Scatter seed evenly and press it gently against the moist medium. Cover only very lightly, if at all.
4. Maintain consistent moisture.
   Use a fine spray or gentle watering method so the seed is not displaced or buried.
5. Provide mild temperatures.
   Garden cress germinates readily under cool to mild indoor or outdoor conditions.
6. Supply light after emergence.
   Move the crop into bright natural light or suitable supplementary lighting once germination begins.
7. Maintain airflow.
   Avoid enclosing the crop in stagnant humidity, particularly where seed has been sown densely.
8. Harvest at the preferred stage.
   Cut young shoots once they have reached useful height, or allow more time for true leaves to develop.

Do Cress Seeds Need Light to Germinate?

Garden cress seed should be surface-sown or covered only very lightly. The main requirements during germination are close contact with a moist growing surface and protection from drying.

Although strong light is not the principal trigger required for germination, the seedlings need adequate light promptly after emergence. Cress grown in insufficient light becomes pale, elongated and weak.

How to Grow Garden Cress in Soil

1. Select a cool, bright position.
   Choose full sun during mild weather or light shade where conditions are warm.
2. Prepare fine, fertile soil.
   Remove large clods and debris so the small seed can make close contact with the soil surface.
3. Moisten before sowing.
   Water the bed or container gently before distributing the seed.
4. Sow shallowly.
   Scatter the seed evenly and cover it with only a very fine layer of soil.
5. Keep the surface moist.
   Fine seed and young roots can dry rapidly, particularly in sun or wind.
6. Thin where mature plants are required.
   Dense sowing is suitable for young shoots, but established plants need more space.
7. Make successive sowings.
   Sow a small new area every one to two weeks where a regular supply is required.
8. Harvest before plants become coarse.
   Cut young leaves when they are tender and strongly coloured.

How to Grow Cress Indoors

How to Grow Cress Without Soil

Garden cress can be grown for young shoots on cotton wool, paper towel or another clean moisture-retentive material. This method is most suitable for a short crop harvested at the seedling stage rather than for mature plants.

1. Select a shallow clean container.
   A plate, tray or recycled food container can be used where it has been washed thoroughly.
2. Add the growing material.
   Place a layer of clean cotton wool, paper towel or another suitable fibre in the container.
3. Moisten thoroughly.
   The material should be evenly damp without a deep layer of standing water.
4. Spread the seeds evenly.
   Avoid placing the seed in thick piles, which can produce uneven growth and poor airflow.
5. Prevent drying.
   Check the tray at least daily and add water gently when needed.
6. Provide light after germination.
   Move the container to a bright position once the shoots emerge.
7. Harvest while young.
   Cut the stems above the growing material with clean scissors.

Growing Cress on Cotton Wool or Paper Towel

How to Grow Watercress from Seed

Watercress differs from garden cress and should be grown as an established moisture-loving plant rather than as a quick cotton-wool crop. It prefers rich, consistently wet growing conditions but should not be placed in uncontrolled natural waterways.

1. Start with clean containers and seed-raising mix.
   Use trays or small pots that can be kept consistently moist.
2. Sow the seed shallowly.
   Press the fine seed against the surface and cover it only lightly.
3. Maintain constant moisture.
   Do not allow the seed-raising mix to dry while germination and establishment occur.
4. Provide mild temperatures and bright light.
   Watercress generally performs best under cool to mild growing conditions.
5. Transplant carefully.
   Move established seedlings into rich soil or containers where reliable moisture can be maintained.
6. Keep the root zone wet.
   Use regular watering or an appropriate managed growing system without allowing the foliage to remain continually stagnant and contaminated.
7. Harvest clean leafy tips.
   Cut healthy stems and leaves above the base once plants are well established.

How to Grow Upland Cress

Upland cress produces a watercress-like leaf but grows in ordinary fertile soil. It is suited to cool-season gardens where consistent moisture can be maintained without semi-aquatic conditions.

• Sow in autumn, winter or spring under suitable local conditions
• Choose fertile, moisture-retentive and well-drained soil
• Provide full sun during cool weather or light shade in warmer conditions
• Keep plants evenly watered
• Thin seedlings to provide room for mature leaves
• Harvest outside leaves or cut leafy growth as required

How Much Water Does Cress Need?

All cress crops require reliable moisture, but their requirements are not identical. Garden cress needs a consistently damp seedbed while germinating, whereas watercress requires a persistently wet root zone after establishment.

When and How to Harvest Cress

Harvest timing depends on whether cress is being grown as young shoots, microgreens or mature leaves.

Does Cress Grow Back After Cutting?

Garden cress grown densely as young shoots is normally treated as a single-cut crop. Cutting the seedlings close to the growing surface removes much of their active growth, and any regrowth is often uneven and less productive than a new sowing.

Established upland cress and watercress are more capable of repeated harvesting. Cut healthy outer leaves or stems while leaving sufficient established growth for the plant to recover.

Common Cress Growing Problems

Cress as Microgreens or Mature Leaves

Packet and Bulk Cress Seeds

Important Considerations for Commercial Growers

Commercial cress production requires more than selecting the lowest-priced seed. Germination, seed distribution, crop hygiene, tray density, airflow, harvest stage, labour and shelf life all influence production efficiency.

General Garden Cress Growing Method

1. Choose clean trays and suitable seed.
   Use shallow containers with drainage where a loose growing medium is used.
2. Prepare the growing surface.
   Moisten seed-raising mix, potting mix or a suitable growing mat evenly.
3. Sow at an even density.
   Spread the seed across the surface without leaving heavy piles or large gaps.
4. Press the seed gently into place.
   Ensure close contact with the damp surface without burying the seed deeply.
5. Maintain moisture during germination.
   Use gentle watering and prevent the fine seed from drying.
6. Provide light after emergence.
   Move the crop into bright light as soon as the seedlings begin growing.
7. Maintain airflow.
   Avoid stagnant humidity and excessive surface moisture around dense seedlings.
8. Harvest cleanly.
   Cut above the growing medium with clean scissors when the crop reaches the required stage.

Frequently Asked Questions