How far apart should I plant Garden cress?

About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).

Does Garden cress need full sun?

Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Garden cress need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Garden cress?

It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Garden cress flower?

About 4–7 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.

Is Garden cress poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic in culinary amounts; large quantities of the pungent seed can upset the stomach.

What grows well with Garden cress?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Garden cress Lepidium sativum

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) is an annual vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, native to Egypt and western Asia. It grows 20–50 cm (8–20 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 8 cm (3 in) apart.

Plan Garden cress in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Garden cress at a glance

Type	Annual vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	20–50 cm (8–20 in)
Mature spread	10–20 cm (4–8 in)
Spacing	8 cm (3 in) centre to centre
Sun	Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	6–7.5
Cold hardiness	About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 24 °C (75 °F)
Flowering	about 4–7 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks
Days to maturity	About 30 days from planting
Wind tolerance	None
Pollinator value	Low
Edible	Yes: seedlings, leaves, seeds
Native to	Egypt and western Asia
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France

Is Garden cress toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not toxic in culinary amounts; large quantities of the pungent seed can upset the stomach.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Garden cress

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

Shared pests and diseases

Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B

Questions about Garden cress

How far apart should I plant Garden cress?: About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
Does Garden cress need full sun?: Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Garden cress need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Garden cress?: It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Garden cress flower?: About 4–7 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.
Is Garden cress poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic in culinary amounts; large quantities of the pungent seed can upset the stomach.
What grows well with Garden cress?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Plants For A Future database, PFAF

Notes and assumptions

Usually cut as seedlings after 1-3 weeks; mature plants bolt within about 4-7 weeks.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes