What is cress and why is it popular?
Cress is a classic, fast-growing herb with small green leaves and a characteristic slightly sharp, peppery flavor that adds body to everything from eggs to salads and sandwiches.
Not only is cress easy to grow, it's also ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners. With the right cress seeds, you can have fresh, homegrown cress in just a few days and harvest again and again.
How to grow cress
Getting started with cress is very simple — a few good tips can ensure you have nice sprouts:
-
Sowing : Sprinkle cress seeds thinly over damp soil, cotton wool or a germination mat and press them down lightly. The seeds only need a little soil or moisture, and you can even grow cress on cotton wool or kitchen paper.
-
Light and heat : Place cress in a bright spot, such as a windowsill. Cress does well at room temperature and does not need deep heat — most sprouts easily at normal indoor temperatures.
-
Watering : Keep the soil or substrate evenly moist — but avoid waterlogging. Cress requires constant moisture, especially during the germination phase.
-
Harvest time : After 5–7 days (within), you can cut the small green shoots and use them in food. When growing outdoors or with a slightly longer growth period, you can use the leaves later.