Cress 'Persian'

Persian Cress (Lepidium sativum)

Persian Cress is a graceful and highly versatile filler, treasured by floral designers and gardeners alike for its delicate beauty and practical charm. Slender, branching stems are adorned with clusters of rounded, silvery-green seed pods that glimmer softly in the light, resembling tiny coins dancing on the breeze. This airy structure brings effortless elegance and movement to arrangements, complementing everything from romantic cottage-style bouquets to modern, minimalist designs.

Quick to mature and wonderfully easy to grow, Persian Cress thrives in cool weather and is perfect for succession sowing, ensuring a steady supply of fresh stems throughout the season. It shines as a textural element in fresh arrangements and dries exceptionally well, retaining its subtle green tones for everlasting creations. Beyond its ornamental appeal, the tender young leaves carry a mild, peppery flavour, adding a fresh twist to salads and garnishes.

Pair it with the soft ruffles of cosmos, the ethereal blooms of Queen Anne’s lace, or the vibrant jewel tones of zinnias for dynamic garden and floral combinations. Persian Cress offers beauty, versatility, and reliability—a quiet essential for both the cutting garden and the creative floral studio.

DETAILS:

QTY: 100

TYPE: Annual

DEPTH: 1/8"

GERMINATION: 2 - 5 Days at 13 - 18 °C

HEIGHT: 36-40”

SITE: Full Sun

MATURITY: 65 - 75 Days

SPACING: 2 - 6”

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:
Direct Seed (recommended): Cress is best grown from seed sown directly into the garden. Sow outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring or throughout the season for a continuous harvest. Cover seeds with ⅛" of soil and thin when the first true leaves appear to a final spacing of 2–4" apart.

Transplant (alternative): Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost in cell packs or containers. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting outdoors.

Pinching and Support: Pinching is not necessary, as cress is a compact, mounding plant. Support may be required for taller varieties as they mature.

Soil Preference and Watering: Cress prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, as a lack of water can cause the leaves to become bitter.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not required for cress. It performs best in average to lean soil.

Harvesting: 

• Harvest the pods when they are fully formed and firm, but before they have begun to dry out, turn brown, or shatter. The pods should still have a green or rich color and feel sturdy when you squeeze them gently. This ensures they won't fall apart and will retain their shape.

• The Squeeze Test: To check if a pod is ready, give it a light squeeze. If it feels solid and firm, it's good to go. If it's mushy or crumbles easily, it's either not ready or too far gone.

• Cut and Condition: Use sharp pruners to cut the stems at your desired length. Immediately place the cut stems in a bucket of water to hydrate them.

• Fresh or Dried: For fresh arrangements, you can use the pods immediately. To dry them for long-term use, hang the bunches upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area for 2–3 weeks until they are completely dry and feel papery.