HerbsEasy CarePet Safe
Garden Cress
Lepidium sativum
Garden cress is one of the fastest crops to grow: its peppery sprouts can be cut within a week. The seeds (halim) are also used in Indian sweets and drinks. It grows on a windowsill in soil, cocopeat or even damp cotton.
Botanical FamilyBrassicaceae
Native RegionEgypt and western Asia
Growth RateFast
Mature Size5–10 cm as sprouts; 30–60 cm if grown on
Bloom PeriodWinter, if grown on
Common NamesHalim, Aliv, Chandrashoor
Photo: Salicyna · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Keep the growing medium moist; mist daily.
Soil
Any moist potting mix or cocopeat in a shallow tray.
Temperature and humidity
8–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
No feeding needed for sprouts.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed
Snip sprouts with scissors when 5–8 cm tall.
Sprouts are safe. Large medicinal amounts of seed are avoided in pregnancy.
Top Cultivation Tips
Sow thickly on the surface.
Sow a new tray every few days.
Add to sandwiches, salads and raita.
Grow on for seed in the cool season.
