Garden cress

Lepidium sativum

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

Very fast-growing annual herbaceous plant whose peppery leaves are harvested a few weeks after sowing. In the herbaceous layer of a food forest, it serves as an intercrop and the flowers attract beneficial insects. Prefers cool soils and partial shade in summer.

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

See which trees garden 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: Herbaceous annual up to 0.4 m
Mature diameter: 0.2 m
Soils: Loam, Sandy
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

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

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The fresh leaves have a peppery flavour much appreciated in salads and exhibit antiscorbutic properties, being traditionally used to relieve respiratory problems.

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.