Everything You Need to Know About Watercress — Care, Propagation & More
Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Tatsoi-watercress — from seed to table.
What Can You Eat?
Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.
Used in salads, soups, and sandwiches. Peppery flavor like radish. Found in Baguio public market; grown in mountain streams. Substitute in Filipino dishes for arugula or rocket.
Watercress is mostly a highland crop in PH — Baguio's wet markets sell fresh bundles. Lowland Manila gardeners grow it hydroponically in shaded balconies. Becoming popular in upscale Manila restaurants for salads.
Germination Guide
From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.
Planting Instructions
Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.
Propagation Methods
Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from seeds to cuttings.
Care Guide
Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.
Partial shade
Constant moisture; standing water acceptable
Light feeding; vermicast monthly
15-22°C
70-95%
Refresh standing water weekly to prevent stagnation.
Harvest Guide
Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.
Stems are 15 cm tall with abundant leaves.
Pinch top 5-10 cm; plant regrows.
Common Problems & Solutions
Spot issues early and fix them fast.
Bitter taste
Cause: Heat stress
Solution: Plant in cool season; provide shade.
Stagnant water smell
Cause: Anaerobic decay
Solution: Refresh water weekly; add aeration.
Root rot
Cause: Algae overgrowth in pot
Solution: Reduce light on water; clean container weekly.
Aphids
Cause: Aphid infestation
Solution: Spray water jet; soap-water mix.
Perfect Plant Partners
Plants that grow well together.
