True

Family: Brassicaceae Herb

Peppery and vividly green, True watercress delivers a clean, lively bite with a crisp, succulent texture that feels almost electric in the mouth.

Grown for its tender, upright growth and quick maturity, it’s ideal for fresh use—its bright flavor shines when served at its most delicate, with a refreshing snap that lingers. True’s uniform vigor makes it a dependable choice for gardeners who want a steady harvest of flavorful greens from a compact, fast-turning patch.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 35 DaysHabit: Upright

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 30th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	35
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

True watercress has that crisp, peppery snap that reads best uncooked—dress it lightly and serve immediately so it doesn’t fade. If you wilt it, do it fast and hot; that’s when it stays electric instead of turning flat.

Best Uses

fresh watercress salad where the greens stay crisp under dressing
watercress pesto or quick blitz sauce—no cooking, just emulsion
watercress tucked into sandwiches or wraps to cut through fat
stir-tossed at the very end in a hot pan for a 30–60 second wilt

Flavor Profile

peppery watercress bite vivid, brisk green sharpness crisp, succulent snap clean finish with a lingering piquancy

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil butter grated horseradish hard-boiled egg salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Nasturtium officinale (watercress) and how can I treat it?

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale, Brassicaceae) is prone to downy mildew and leaf spot in warm, humid conditions. Remove heavily affected leaves, improve airflow, and water at the base so foliage stays dry. If symptoms persist, use a copper-based fungicide labeled for edible brassicas and follow the label’s reapplication interval.

How often should I water Nasturtium officinale during the main growing phase?

Nasturtium officinale needs consistently moist soil and does best with evenly damp conditions rather than drying out between waterings. During active growth, keep the root zone wet enough that the surface doesn’t crust, typically watering about once daily in warm weather or whenever the top 1 cm (about 1/2 in) starts to dry. If growing in containers, never let the potting mix fully dry, but also avoid standing water around the crown.

How do I know when Nasturtium officinale is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting once plants form a sturdy rosette and have reached about 30–40 days after sowing (typical maturity is ~35 days). Take tender shoots and outer leaves first, cutting stems back to encourage new growth. For best flavor, harvest in the morning and when leaves are young and crisp rather than fully mature and tough.