Watercress

Watercress (Nasturtium Officinale) - Watercress is cultivated as both a culinary herb as well as a medicinal herb. It is a succulent, leafy plant that thrives in marshes, bogs and water gardens. The lobed leaves can be eaten raw, cooked or dried. They have a pungent flavor and are crisp. Watercress needs to be harvested before the buds appear as the leaves turn bitter after flowering.

As a medicinal herb, Watercress has long been used to treat sore throats and sinus congestion. It is very rich in vitamins and minerals and in alternative medicine, it is used for a wide variety of ailments. Some other common names that Watercress is called are: water rocket, water radish, and hedge mustard. It is in the mustard family.

Watercress is highly ornamental. It is a fast-growing plant that prefers partial shade. It produces white flowers in mid-summer which are very attractive to bees. It can be grown in an indoor herb garden. Place the containers in a tray of water and keep the water constantly supplied. Fluorescent lamps or growing lights are needed. The herb seed can be started indoors 6 weeks before the last expected frost and then transplanted outdoors. The ideal setting is along a pond or stream bank.