Cress is hands-down the easiest plant to grow at home—it’s so simple that even the kids can take charge of the “garden.” All you really need are a few seeds, a growing medium, a little water, and a tiny bit of patience. That’s the basic recipe for success, but if you want to really master your cress game, there are a few handy tips you should know.
Two Great Spots to Grow Your Cress
We’ve all seen those little pre-grown cress boxes at the grocery store, right? Well, it’s incredibly easy (and cheaper!) to grow your own. If you’re growing indoors, find a warm spot on a bright windowsill, but try to avoid harsh, direct sunlight. In just a few days, you’ll have sprouts ready for your morning toast. Just keep in mind that once you snip them, cress won’t regrow, so you’ll need to start a new batch when you’re ready for more. If you prefer the great outdoors, cress grows well in the garden too, though it takes a bit longer (about 2-3 weeks). A sunny or partially shaded spot is perfect.
Soil or No Soil?
If you’re planting in the garden, you’ll definitely want some good soil. Keep the ground moderately moist—and if you’re growing watercress, it likes things even wetter! You *can* use soil for windowsill growing, but it often leads to mold issues indoors. For the best results when sowing inside, I recommend using one of these simple alternatives:
- A few layers of paper towels
- Tissues
- Cotton balls or pads
Seeds and Sowing
You can find cress seeds for pennies at almost any garden center. If you’re growing them outdoors, you can even let a few plants flower and go to seed so you can harvest your own for next time. It’s a bit tougher to get them to flower on a windowsill, mostly because there aren’t any bees inside to handle the pollination. When planting, just press the seeds lightly onto your surface—don’t bury them, as they need light to germinate. After that, just keep the medium damp and watch them go!
Pro Tip:
When it comes to watering, ditch the heavy watering can or garden hose. Use a spray bottle instead! A fine mist keeps the seeds from washing away and prevents the delicate sprouts from getting flattened by the weight of the water.
Keep the Harvest Coming
Cress is one of those herbs that doesn’t store very well—it loses its punch if you try to dry or freeze it. To enjoy that signature peppery kick, you really have to eat it fresh. My advice? Sow small batches every week or two. That way, you’ll have a steady supply of fresh greens all year round!