Land Cress (Barbarea verna)
You might like these instead
£2.00Woodland / Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
£6.00Woodland Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) Seeds
£2.99Native & Woodland Seed Collection (UK grown · pesticide & herbicide free)
£19.99
|
Get big discounts when you order multiple items
|
❤️ Why you'll love it
A hardy, peppery salad green similar in flavour to watercress but far easier to grow, cropping right through the colder months when little else is ready to pick. A reliable, low-maintenance addition to the perennial vegetable patch.
🌿 Details
How to grow Land Cress (Barbarea verna) in the UK
Position & Light:
Grow in partial shade or sun in a cool, sheltered position. Land cress is a hardy, peppery salad green similar in flavour to watercress, and is a useful winter and early-spring crop when other salads are scarce. It suits vegetable plots, raised beds, containers and cold frames, and does particularly well in the cooler months.
Soil & Watering:
Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Land cress likes cool, damp conditions and bolts quickly in hot, dry weather, so keep it well watered. Water regularly, particularly in dry spells, and mulch around the plants to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
Feeding:
Give a balanced fertiliser or a mulch of well-rotted compost in spring. A nitrogen-rich feed encourages lush leaf growth.
Pruning & Maintenance:
Pick leaves regularly, taking outer leaves first, to encourage fresh growth. Remove flower stalks promptly if they appear, to keep plants productive, although the flowers are attractive to pollinators. Plants will self-seed if allowed to flower, giving a continuous supply of new plants. In very cold areas, protect with a cloche or fleece during harsh winter weather.
Common Problems:
- Bolting (running to seed): Caused by heat and dry soil. Keep cool, shaded and moist.
- Flea beetle: Tiny holes in leaves. Grow under fine mesh and keep the soil moist.
- Slugs and snails: Can damage young plants. Protect with wildlife-friendly controls.
- Bitter leaves: Caused by hot, dry weather. Water well and pick young leaves.
- Caterpillars: Check leaves regularly and remove by hand.
Supplied bare root, carefully packed with a moisture source to ensure freshness.
Plant height: approximately 10cm.
Please remember that most plants (except Evergreens) are dormant in Autumn/Winter so your order may have no leaves until Spring.
🪴 What Does Bare Root Mean?
Our plants have their full root systems but are carefully removed from the pot and soil before delivery.
The roots are wrapped in moist material and eco-friendly packaging to keep them fresh during transit.
It's less messy, reduces waste, and allows the plant to settle into your garden more easily once planted.
🌱 Sustainably Grown in Britain
Plants are sustainably grown and harvested at our nursery in the South West UK, without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
Packaged using biodegradable materials for an eco-conscious delivery.
📜 Certified & Compliant
We are APHA-authorized for Plant Passports: your assurance that our plants are healthy, pest-free, and meet UK plant health regulations.
🚚 Combined Postage & Fast Dispatch
No extra delivery charge when you buy multiple plants from us! Simply add all the plants you love to your basket and pay one flat delivery fee at checkout.
Shipped via UPS Express, so they are in transit for less than 24 hours: includes care cards tailored to each plant you order.
Orders are sent out at the beginning of each week to reduce time in transit,
see Delivery information.
📌 Planting Advice
Upon arrival, plant immediately in a cool, shaded spot (indoors or outdoors) and water thoroughly.
Once new growth appears, move to the final growing location.
💚 Our Guarantee
If your plant doesn't survive delivery*, just send us a photo and we'll send a replacement (or issue a refund).
No hassle, no worries.
* provided you accept the first delivery attempt