Garden cress

Lepidium sativum

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) is an extremely fast leafy green, ready to harvest in just 1–2 weeks. It grows on soil, coco, cotton wool or in hydro — ideal for the windowsill.

Actualizado:

Luz

Bright, 12–14 h; it grows leggy in too little light.

Riego

Keep constantly moist, never dry out — cress only germinates and grows with steady moisture.

Temperatura

15–22 °C; cool and fast, heat makes it bitter.

Humedad

55–70 %, higher during germination.

Valores objetivo por método y fase

Hydro
Fase pH EC (mS/cm) Agua °C Aire °C Humedad % Luz h Duración (días)
Germinación 5.8–6.5 0.2–0.6 16–22 15–22 65–80 12 3
Plántula 5.8–6.5 0.6–1 16–22 15–22 60–70 14 7
Cosecha 5.8–6.5 0.8–1.2 16–22 15–22 55–65 14 10
Tierra
Fase pH EC (mS/cm) Agua °C Aire °C Humedad % Luz h Duración (días)
Germinación 6.1–6.8 0.2–0.6 15–22 65–80 12 3
Plántula 6.1–6.8 0.6–1 15–22 60–70 14 7
Cosecha 6.1–6.8 0.8–1.2 15–22 55–65 14 10
Coco
Fase pH EC (mS/cm) Agua °C Aire °C Humedad % Luz h Duración (días)
Germinación 5.8–6.5 0.2–0.6 16–22 15–22 65–80 12 3
Plántula 5.8–6.5 0.6–1 16–22 15–22 60–70 14 7
Cosecha 5.8–6.5 0.8–1.2 16–22 15–22 55–65 14 10

Problemas comunes

Damping-off (Pythium) when too warm-wet and sown densely; mould in still air. Sow thinly and ventilate.

Pests & diseases

Pest / Disease Symptom Organic treatment
Flea beetles tiny holes in leaves (outdoors) fleece cover, keep moist
Damping-off seedlings collapse avoid overwatering, good airflow

Edible parts

  • Leaves · edible from Plántula — as microgreen/sprout
  • Seeds · edible from Fructificación

Técnicas de rendimiento

Cut just above the substrate with scissors once the first true leaves appear — usually a single harvest, then re-sow.

Propagation & pollination

Method
seed
Germination time
2 days
Germination temp
15-20 °C
Sowing depth
0.2 cm
Pollination
self
Hand pollination needed
no

germinates extremely fast

Companion planting

🔴 Bad neighbours: Coriander (Cilantro)

Flavor

sharp, mustardy, peppery

Storage

Harvest fresh and eat right away.

History

Garden cress comes from Western Asia and Egypt and is one of the oldest cultivated plants of all.

Nutrition

Rich in vitamin C, iron and pungent mustard oils.

Sources

Florabase

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