Leafy Herb
Persian Cress is a compact, productive green that grows to just 36-40 inches tall and reaches harvest in 65-75 days, making it one of the quickest edibles you can direct sow. This open-pollinated member of the Brassicaceae family thrives in cool conditions, tolerating frost and germinating reliably between 45-70°F. It's an easy-to-grow choice for gardeners seeking fresh, harvestable greenery that works equally well as a quick spring crop or a late-season succession planting.
—
Moderate
?-?
40in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Persian Cress germinates rapidly in cool soil and produces edible stems ready to harvest within weeks rather than months. The compact growth habit means it fits easily into small spaces, containers, or tight garden corners while still delivering abundant fresh material. You can harvest fresh stems early or wait for seed pods to mature, giving you flexibility in how you use this dual-purpose plant throughout the season.
Persian Cress is grown primarily for its fresh edible stems, which can be harvested young for tender greenery or left to mature and set seed pods. The mature seed pods are also edible and can be dried for later use, giving this plant a double harvest window. Fresh stems work well in salads or as a garnish, while the seed pods add peppery notes to dishes.
Sow seeds into cell packs or larger containers 4-6 weeks before your planned transplant date. Maintain soil temperatures between 45-70°F for reliable germination. Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors to acclimate them to garden conditions.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors once they've developed true leaves and soil conditions allow. Space plants 2 inches apart in their final location. Transplanting works well, though direct sowing is recommended for best results.
Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Cover seeds with 1/4 inch of soil and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Thin seedlings to 2-inch spacing once their first true leaves appear.
Harvest fresh stems at any point once the plant has developed enough foliage to sustain growth. For seed pod harvest, wait until the pods have matured on the plant. If storing dried seed pods, harvest when they're fully mature and hang to dry in a cool, well-ventilated space.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.