Curled Cress Seeds - Garden Cress - Pepper Cress - Lepidium sativum

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

USDA Zones 3-12 - Grows as a very fast, cool-season annual in all climates. Its success is not tied to hardiness zones but to the timing of planting to coincide with cool weather.

Best Performance - Cress thrives in cool, mild conditions (50-70F / 10-21C) and will bolt (flower) quickly in heat, which turns the leaves bitter. For this reason, it's grown in early spring and fall in most climates, or through the winter in hotter regions.

Northern Zones (3-6) - Direct sow outdoors every 1-2 weeks from the moment the soil can be worked in early spring until daytime temperatures consistently exceed 75F. Begin sowing again in late summer for a continuous fall harvest until the first hard freeze.

Hot Climate Zones (7-12) - Grow outdoors during the coolest months. Plant in succession from fall through winter into very early spring. Avoid growing outdoors in the summer heat. For a year-round supply, grow indoors in a bright location.

Soil Temperature - Germinates quickly in cool soil. The ideal temperature range is 45-75F (7-24C). Seeds will sprout readily within this wide range, often in just a few days.

Growing Season - Has one of the shortest growing seasons of any vegetable. It can be harvested as microgreens in 10-14 days or as mature baby greens in 30-50 days. Multiple successions are possible within a single spring or fall season.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

Curled Cress is exceptionally easy to grow and can be planted in the garden or indoors in a container for a year-round harvest.

Method 1: Growing Indoors for Microgreens (Most Popular)
This method is fast, easy, and can be done any time of year.

Container: Choose a shallow tray or container, with or without drainage holes. A clamshell container from store-bought produce works perfectly.

Medium: Lay a thoroughly moistened paper towel, a layer of cotton balls, or a thin (1/2 inch) layer of seed starting mix or coco coir in the bottom of the tray.

Sowing: Sprinkle the seeds generously and evenly over the surface of your chosen medium. There is no need to cover them with soil. Gently press the seeds down to ensure good contact with the moist surface.

Germination: Lightly mist the seeds with water. Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap for 2-3 days to maintain high humidity and darkness. You should see sprouting within 24-72 hours.

Growing: Once seeds have sprouted, remove the cover and move the tray to a location with plenty of bright, indirect light, like a sunny windowsill. Mist with water once or twice daily to keep the roots moist.

Harvest: In 10-14 days, when the cress is 2-3 inches tall, use scissors to snip the greens just above the soil or paper towel line. Add to salads, sandwiches, and more!

Method 2: Growing Outdoors in the Garden

Timing: Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, and again in late summer for a fall crop. Sow a new patch every 7-10 days for a continuous harvest.

Site Selection: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil.

Sowing: Broadcast seeds over a prepared garden bed or sow in rows. Rake in lightly, covering the seeds with no more than 1/4 inch of soil.

Watering: Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Cress is not drought-tolerant and requires regular watering for the best flavor and a tender texture.

Harvesting: Begin harvesting leaves when they are 2-3 inches tall. You can use the "cut-and-come-again" method by snipping the tops off the plants, leaving about an inch of growth to resprout. Harvest frequently and before the plant begins to flower for the best quality.