Lepidium sativum aka Garden Cress

Lepidium sativum, or garden cress, belongs to the mustard family. It is an annual grown for food since ancient times. Kew lists its native range from Europe to central Asia. This range also includes the Himalaya and Arabian Peninsula. Useful Tropical Plants says its origin remains unclear. It suggests Ethiopia, nearby lands, or western Asia. The RHS does not list it as native to Britain or Ireland.

Garden cress grows upright and forms many branches. Reported garden heights are about 1.5–1.6 feet [0.45–0.5 metres]. One account gives an upper height of 2.6 feet [0.8 metres]. Its life cycle lasts about three months. Plants flower from June to July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. Seeds ripen from July to August. Fresh or dried seedpods have a sharp taste. The roots are small and woody.

This crop grows fast and needs little skill. Seedlings can reach harvest size within seven days of sowing. Seeds usually sprout in less than a week. Plants grow in sun or light shade. Summer shade helps delay the shift from leaves to seed. They prefer moist soil and grow best in moist loam. They also tolerate sandy and clay soils. Suitable soil pH ranges from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 6–9. Useful Tropical Plants advises protection below 23°F [-5°C]. In tropical regions, plants grow best in cooler seasons or upland sites.

Garden cress suits food beds and trays for young shoots. Repeat sowings can keep fresh leaves coming through the season. Plants For A Future suggests sowing every three weeks. Its shoots form the cress in mustard and cress. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Their peppery taste suits small amounts in salads. The root and seedpods can serve as seasonings. Seeds also yield edible oil. Growers in Ethiopia raise the plant for this oil. The oil has also served as fuel for lighting.

The sources list traditional medicinal uses, not proven treatments. These include uses for coughs, asthma, and digestive complaints. They also record seed use to induce abortion. That history should not be read as safe-use advice. Both use sources report no known hazards. Their accounts do not establish safety for pets. Weed reports differ between the sources. Useful Tropical Plants says it often escapes gardens and becomes a weed. Plants For A Future lists no weed potential.