When does Watercress bloom?

Watercress produces small white flowers from May through July.

What pollinators visit Watercress?

Bees and flies are the primary pollinators that visit Watercress flowers.

Where is Watercress native?

Watercress is documented as native to South Dakota, though it has a much broader native range across North America.

What growing conditions does Watercress need?

Watercress requires consistently wet or aquatic conditions and tolerates partial shade to full shade environments.

Is Watercress HOA-friendly?

Watercress takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Watercress

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Nasturtium officinale

Last reviewed: June 2026

Nasturtium officinale (Watercress) is a semi-aquatic forb native to South Dakota that blooms with small white flowers from May through July. This edible plant thrives in wet conditions and attracts bees and flies.

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) — Photo: (c) Andrew Tree, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Tree

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

4"–24" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

Pollinators

bees, flies

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Valley Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Chihuahuan Deserts Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains Edwards Plateau Sonoran Basin and Range

Watercress is an aquatic perennial herb that grows in shallow water or very wet soil. It produces small white flowers from May through July and has a low, spreading growth habit. This plant requires consistently moist to wet conditions and is typically found near streams, ponds, or in bog gardens.

Growing Watercress

Grow Watercress in part shade and high water. Mature plants reach 4 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Watercress takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Requires constantly wet conditions that are impractical for most residential landscapes
Low spreading growth habit can appear unkempt
Not suitable for typical ornamental garden settings

Wildlife value

The small white flowers attract bees and flies during the summer blooming period. As an aquatic plant, it also provides habitat for various water-loving insects and amphibians.

Common questions

When does Watercress bloom?: Watercress produces small white flowers from May through July.
What pollinators visit Watercress?: Bees and flies are the primary pollinators that visit Watercress flowers.
Where is Watercress native?: Watercress is documented as native to South Dakota, though it has a much broader native range across North America.
What growing conditions does Watercress need?: Watercress requires consistently wet or aquatic conditions and tolerates partial shade to full shade environments.
Is Watercress HOA-friendly?: Watercress takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Watercress? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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