Plant Details

Lepidium sativum

Cress

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Lepidium sativum.

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General Information

Scientific name: Lepidium sativum
Also known as: Cress

Plant Properties

Layer: Herbaceous
Size: Small
Height: 0.50 m
Width: - m
Growth Rate: None
Leaf: None

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 6-9
Soil Moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial shade

Usage properties

Edible part:
Leaves, Oil, Condiment
Edibility:
(3)
Medicinal:
(0)
Features:
Oil

Description

Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a spicy flavor, similar to watercress, and are a great addition to salads in small quantities. The roots of this plant are used as a spice and have a sharp taste, but they are quite small and have a woody texture. Fresh or dried seed pods can serve as a sharp flavoring. The seeds can be sprouted by giving them little light until the shoots are a few centimeters long, after which they can be added to salads. The sprouting process takes about 7 days, and the shoots have a pleasantly spicy flavor. Edible oil can be obtained from the seeds.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 15/04
End of Harvest: 30/09