Skip to content
GrowByCity
Vegetable Partial Shade OK Frequent water

Watercress

2 min read

Peppery aquatic green. Can grow in shallow running water or very moist soil.

Harvest 30-50 days
Temp Range 0°C — 22°C
Frost Tolerant ❄

Quick Answer: How to Grow Watercress

Watercress takes 30-50 days to harvest. It grows best in 8–16°C with partial shade ok and frequent watering. Watercress is frost tolerant and can handle temperatures down to 0°C. It can be grown in 350 cities worldwide.

Find the best time to plant Watercress in your city →

Growing Requirements

☀️
Sun
Partial Shade OK
💧
Water
Frequent
❄️
Frost
Tolerant
📅
Harvest
30-50 days

Temperature Range

8-16°C
-10°C 45°C
Optimal: 8–16°C Tolerates: 0–22°C
Tropical suitable: No
Cities growing: 350 of 350

Growing Tips

💡

Expert Tips

Keep soil constantly wet or grow in water. Excellent in containers with saucers of water.

Quick Facts

  • Grows in 350 of 350 cities
  • Available in 7 regions worldwide
  • Temperature range: 0°C to 22°C
  • Optimal growing: 8°C to 16°C
  • Harvest in 30-50 days

Did You Know?

  • 🌱 Watercress is frost-tolerant, meaning it can survive light frosts and even thrive in cooler temperatures.

Where to Grow Watercress

Watercress can be grown in 350 cities across 7 regions worldwide

🌍

Europe

80 cities
🌏

Asia

79 cities
🌎

North America

78 cities
🌍

Africa

39 cities
🌎

South America

39 cities
🌊

Oceania

19 cities
🕌

Middle East

16 cities

🌍 Europe (80 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Aarhus, DK medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Amsterdam, NL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ankara, TR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Antalya, TR medium
✓
✓
Athens, GR medium
✓
✓
Barcelona, ES medium
✓
✓
Bari, IT medium
✓
✓
Belgrade, RS medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bergen, NO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Berlin, DE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bilbao, ES medium
✓
✓
Bologna, IT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bordeaux, FR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bratislava, SK medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Brussels, BE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bucharest, RO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Budapest, HU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Catania, IT medium
✓
✓
Cologne, DE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Copenhagen, DK medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Corfu, GR medium
✓
✓
Cork, IE medium
✓
✓
Dublin, IE medium
✓
✓
Dubrovnik, HR medium
✓
✓
Edinburgh, GB medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Florence, IT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Frankfurt, DE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Gdansk, PL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Genoa, IT medium
✓
✓
Glasgow, GB medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Gothenburg, SE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hamburg, DE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Helsinki, FI medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Heraklion, GR medium
✓
✓
Istanbul, TR medium
✓
✓
Izmir, TR medium
✓
✓
Krakow, PL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kyiv, UA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Limassol, CY medium
✓
✓
Lisbon, PT medium
✓
✓
Ljubljana, SI medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
London, GB medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lyon, FR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Madrid, ES medium
✓
✓
Malaga, ES medium
✓
✓
Marseille, FR medium
✓
✓
Milan, IT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Munich, DE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Naples, IT medium
✓
✓
Nice, FR medium
✓
✓
Nicosia, CY medium
✓
✓
Oslo, NO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Palermo, IT medium
✓
✓
Paris, FR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Porto, PT medium
✓
✓
Poznan, PL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Prague, CZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Reykjavik, IS medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Riga, LV medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Rome, IT medium
✓
✓
Seville, ES medium
✓
✓
Sofia, BG medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Split, HR medium
✓
✓
Stockholm, SE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Strasbourg, FR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Stuttgart, DE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tallinn, EE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Thessaloniki, GR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tirana, AL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Toulouse, FR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Turin, IT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Turku, FI medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Valencia, ES medium
✓
✓
Valletta, MT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Verona, IT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Vienna, AT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Vilnius, LT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Warsaw, PL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Zagreb, HR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Zurich, CH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌏 Asia (79 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Ahmedabad, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Almaty, KZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bali, ID medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bandung, ID medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bangalore, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bangkok, TH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Beijing, CN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Busan, KR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cebu, PH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chandigarh, IN medium
✓
✓
Chengdu, CN medium
✓
✓
Chennai, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chiang Mai, TH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chittagong, BD medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chongqing, CN medium
✓
✓
Coimbatore, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Colombo, LK medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Da Nang, VN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dalian, CN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Davao, PH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Delhi, IN medium
✓
✓
Dhaka, BD medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dharan, NP medium
✓
✓
Fukuoka, JP medium
✓
✓
Galle, LK medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Guangzhou, CN medium
✓
✓
Hangzhou, CN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hanoi, VN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Harbin, CN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ho Chi Minh City, VN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hong Kong, HK medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hyderabad, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Incheon, KR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Indore, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Islamabad, PK medium
✓
✓
Jaipur, IN medium
✓
✓
Jakarta, ID medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Jeju, KR medium
✓
✓
Johor Bahru, MY medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Karachi, PK medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kathmandu, NP medium
✓
✓
Kochi, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kolkata, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kuala Lumpur, MY medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kunming, CN medium
✓
✓
Kyoto, JP medium
✓
✓
Lahore, PK medium
✓
✓
Lucknow, IN medium
✓
✓
Manila, PH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Mumbai, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nagoya, JP medium
✓
✓
Nanjing, CN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nha Trang, VN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Okinawa, JP medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Osaka, JP medium
✓
✓
Pattaya, TH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Penang, MY medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Phnom Penh, KH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pune, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sapporo, JP medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Seoul, KR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Shanghai, CN medium
✓
✓
Shenzhen, CN medium
✓
✓
Siem Reap, KH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Singapore, SG medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Surabaya, ID medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Surat, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Taipei, TW medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tashkent, UZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tbilisi, GE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tokyo, JP medium
✓
✓
Ulaanbaatar, MN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Varanasi, IN medium
✓
✓
Vientiane, LA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Visakhapatnam, IN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Wuhan, CN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Xi'an, CN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Xiamen, CN medium
✓
✓
Yangon, MM medium
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌎 North America (78 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Albuquerque, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Anchorage, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Atlanta, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Austin, US medium
✓
✓
Baltimore, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Baton Rouge, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Boise, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Boston, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bridgetown, BB medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Buffalo, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Calgary, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cancun, MX medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Charleston, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Charlotte, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chattanooga, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chicago, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Denver, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Des Moines, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Detroit, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Edmonton, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
El Paso, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fargo, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fresno, US medium
✓
✓
Guadalajara, MX medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Halifax, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hartford, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Havana, CU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Honolulu, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Houston, US medium
✓
✓
Jacksonville, US medium
✓
✓
Kansas City, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kingston, JM medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Knoxville, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Las Vegas, US medium
✓
✓
Little Rock, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Los Angeles, US medium
✓
✓
Louisville, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lubbock, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Madison, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Memphis, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Mexico City, MX medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Miami, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Milwaukee, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Minneapolis, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Monterrey, MX medium
✓
✓
Montreal, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nashville, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
New Orleans, US medium
✓
✓
New York, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Oaxaca, MX medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Oklahoma City, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Omaha, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ottawa, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Panama City, PA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Phoenix, US medium
✓
✓
Pittsburgh, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Portland, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Puebla, MX medium
✓
✓
Quebec City, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Raleigh, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Richmond, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sacramento, US medium
✓
✓
Salt Lake City, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
San Diego, US medium
✓
✓
San Francisco, US medium
✓
✓
San Jose, CR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Santo Domingo, DO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Saskatoon, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Savannah, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Seattle, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Spokane, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
St. Louis, US medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tampa, US medium
✓
✓
Toronto, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tucson, US medium
✓
✓
Vancouver, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Victoria, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Winnipeg, CA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌍 Africa (39 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Abidjan, CI medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Accra, GH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Addis Ababa, ET medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Algiers, DZ medium
✓
✓
Antananarivo, MG medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Arusha, TZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bamako, ML medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bloemfontein, ZA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cairo, EG medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cape Town, ZA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Casablanca, MA medium
✓
✓
Dakar, SN medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dar es Salaam, TZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Douala, CM medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Durban, ZA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Entebbe, UG medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fez, MA medium
✓
✓
Freetown, SL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Harare, ZW medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Johannesburg, ZA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kampala, UG medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kigali, RW medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kinshasa, CD medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lagos, NG medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Libreville, GA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lilongwe, MW medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lome, TG medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Luanda, AO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lusaka, ZM medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Maputo, MZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Marrakech, MA medium
✓
✓
Mombasa, KE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nairobi, KE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ouagadougou, BF medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Port Louis, MU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pretoria, ZA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tunis, TN medium
✓
✓
Windhoek, NA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Zanzibar, TZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌎 South America (39 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Arequipa, PE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Asuncion, PY medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Barranquilla, CO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Belem, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bogota, CO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Brasilia, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Buenos Aires, AR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cali, CO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Campinas, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Caracas, VE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cartagena, CO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Concepcion, CL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cordoba, AR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Curitiba, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cusco, PE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fortaleza, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Georgetown, GY medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Goiania, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Guayaquil, EC medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
La Paz, BO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lima, PE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Manaus, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Medellin, CO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Mendoza, AR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Montevideo, UY medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Paramaribo, SR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Port of Spain, TT medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Porto Alegre, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Quito, EC medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Recife, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Rio de Janeiro, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Rosario, AR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Salvador, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Santa Cruz, BO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Santiago, CL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sao Paulo, BR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sucre, BO medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Trujillo, PE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Valparaiso, CL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌊 Oceania (19 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Adelaide, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Alice Springs, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Auckland, NZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Brisbane, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cairns, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Canberra, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Christchurch, NZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Darwin, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dunedin, NZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Gold Coast, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hamilton, NZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hobart, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Melbourne, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Noumea, NC medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Perth, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Suva, FJ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sydney, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Townsville, AU medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Wellington, NZ medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

🕌 Middle East (16 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Abu Dhabi, AE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Amman, JO medium
✓
✓
Baghdad, IQ medium
✓
✓
Beirut, LB medium
✓
✓
Doha, QA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dubai, AE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Erbil, IQ medium
✓
✓
Jeddah, SA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kuwait City, KW medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Manama, BH medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Muscat, OM medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Riyadh, SA medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sana'a, YE medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tabriz, IR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tehran, IR medium
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tel Aviv, IL medium
✓
✓
✓
✓

When should I plant watercress in my city?

The best time to plant watercress depends on your local climate zone. It thrives in temperatures between 8°C and 16°C. Since watercress is frost tolerant, you can plant it before the last frost date. Check your city's planting calendar on GrowByCity for exact dates.

Can I grow watercress in winter?

Yes, watercress is frost tolerant and can handle temperatures down to 0°C. In many climates, it can be grown through winter with some protection.

Tools You'll Need for Growing Watercress

🌱 Watercress Seeds Shop Now 🪴 Potting Soil Shop Now 🔧 Garden Tools Shop Now 🏺 Planters & Pots Shop Now
🌱
Buy Watercress Seeds

High-quality seeds from trusted suppliers

Get Watercress Seeds & Plants

Ready to start growing? Find Watercress seeds and starter plants online.

Shop on Burpee Search on Amazon

People Also Search For

how to grow watercresswatercress growing tipsbest soil for watercresswatercress planting seasonwatercress companion plantswatercress pests and diseases

Similar Growing Requirements

🥬

Lettuce

Vegetable · Partial Shade OK

10-20°C
🥬

Carrot

Vegetable · Full Sun

15-24°C
🥬

Spinach

Vegetable · Partial Shade OK

5-18°C
🥬

Kale

Vegetable · Full Sun to Partial Shade

5-20°C
🌿

Mint

Herb · Partial Shade OK

12-22°C
🥬

Pea

Vegetable · Full Sun

8-18°C

Frequently Asked Questions about Watercress

When should I plant watercress?

The best time to plant watercress depends on your local climate. Watercress grows best in temperatures between 8°C and 16°C (can tolerate 0°C to 22°C). Watercress is frost tolerant, so it can be planted earlier in spring or later in fall. Check your city's planting calendar on GrowByCity for exact planting months.

Can watercress grow in tropical climates?

Watercress is not well-suited for tropical climates. It prefers cooler conditions with temperatures between 8°C and 16°C. In tropical areas, it may bolt, fail to fruit, or suffer from heat stress. Consider growing it in cooler seasons or at higher elevations.

How long does watercress take to grow?

Watercress typically takes 30-50 days from planting to harvest. It requires partial shade ok and frequent watering. Keep soil constantly wet or grow in water. Excellent in containers with saucers of water.

Find the Best Time to Plant Watercress

See the planting calendar for Watercress in these popular cities:

London, GBMumbai, INNew York, USParis, FRSingapore, SGSydney, AUTokyo, JPToronto, CA
Share: X Facebook Pinterest WhatsApp
See an error? Report it