Aqua Large Leaf

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Aqua Large Leaf delivers a lush, river-fresh fragrance with tender, bright-green leaves that feel crisp and juicy between the fingers.

Grown for its generous foliage, this variety forms an abundant mat of succulent greens in about 30 days, ideal for quick, repeated harvests. Expect a clean, peppery bite that shines in fresh salads and lively green sauces, and holds its character beautifully when lightly pickled.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 30 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Aqua Large Leaf

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	May 25th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	30
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This watercress variety is all about that sharp, clean pepper bite paired with juicy crunch—blanch it and you’ll lose what makes it waterborne and electric. Treat it like a fresh herb: add raw for maximum snap or fold into sauces at the end, when it stays green and lively.

Best Uses

shock-chilled raw salads where you want a crisp peppery snap
blended green sauces and pistou-style emulsions (stir in at the last second)
quick pickles for a tangy, crunchy garnish on sandwiches and burgers
finished soups/stews off-heat so the leaves stay vivid and not sulfur-y

Flavor Profile

clean, river-fresh peppery bite tender-crisp, juicy leaf texture bright green, mildly vegetal finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil mustard yogurt smoked salmon soft cheeses

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for watercress (Nasturtium officinale) and how do I prevent it?

Watercress commonly suffers from downy mildew and other leaf-spots under cool, persistently wet conditions. Keep plants in part sun with good airflow, avoid wetting the leaves during watering, and remove yellowing or spotted leaves promptly to reduce spread. If you see fast-spreading patches, thin the bed for airflow and remove heavily affected plants rather than letting them stay soggy.

How often should I water watercress during the main growing phase?

During active growth, watercress needs consistently moist soil or shallow, clean water so the roots never dry out—aim for the top few centimeters to stay evenly damp. In warm weather, this often means watering daily or maintaining a thin film of water, while in cooler conditions you may be able to water every 1–2 days. If the bed dries or the stems start to look limp, refresh moisture immediately because watercress quickly loses tenderness.

How can I tell when watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 30 days when shoots are tender and you can snip individual stems without tearing the plant base. Pick in the morning and select young, bright-green leaves and shoots—if foliage turns dull or leaves get tougher, it’s past prime for a soft, peppery bite. Regular harvesting encourages more regrowth, so cut just above a leaf node rather than shearing the whole patch at once.