Winter cress

Barbarea vulgaris

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Edible companion

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Biennial herb with edible, peppery-flavoured leaves, mainly available in winter. In the herbaceous layer of a food forest, it provides out-of-season greens, and its yellow flowers attract pollinators in early spring. It tolerates cool soils and some shade.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees winter cress grows well with

We have no trees recorded with this species yet. Start from the tree on your land.

See the central trees

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Medium
Light: Partial shade
Size: Biennial herb up to 0.8 m
Mature diameter: 0.3 m
Soils: Loam, Clay
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January — Harvest
February — Harvest
March — Harvest — Planting
April
May
June
July
August — Planting
September — Planting
October — Harvest
November — Harvest
December — Harvest

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: Its young leaves, with a slightly peppery flavour, are consumed in winter salads or cooked, being traditionally valued for their diuretic properties and high vitamin C content.

Where to buy

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.