Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

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

Perennial aquatic herbaceous plant with highly nutritious, peppery leaves, the traditional watercress. In a food forest, it occupies the margins of watercourses and waterlogged areas, providing a harvest in the cool seasons. It requires clean, running water or permanently moist soils.

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

See which trees watercress 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: High
Light: Partial shade
Size: Perennial aquatic herbaceous plant up to 0.5 m
Mature diameter: 0.4 m
Soils: Loam, Clay
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

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

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The fresh leaves are peppery and highly nutritious, being consumed in salads and soups, and traditionally used as a diuretic and expectorant.

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.