(Nasturtium officinale 'Watercress')
Watercress is a semi-aquatic, cool weather, tender perennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia but can be commonly found growing along stream margins, river edges, ditches, and other shallow areas with cold, slow-flowing water throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-24” and features dark green hollow stems, green ovate to round pungent leaves that have scalloped edges, and fragrant white flowers and small pods of edible seeds. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!
Genus: Nasturtium
Species: officinale
Variety: Watercress
Native to: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Central European Rus, Chad, Corse, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, Yugoslavia.
Introduced into: Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Angola, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Assam, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Borneo, Brazil South, British Columbia, California, Cameroon, Cape Provinces, Chile Central, Chile North, Chile South, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Colombia, Colorado, Comoros, Connecticut, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Delaware, District of Columbia, Dominican Republic, East Himalaya, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Florida, Free State, French Guiana, Galápagos, Georgia, Guatemala, Gulf of Guinea Is., Haiti, Honduras, Idaho, Illinois, India, Indiana, Iowa, Jamaica, Jawa, Juan Fernández Is., Kansas, Kentucky, Kenya, Korea, KwaZulu-Natal, Leeward Is., Lesotho, Lesser Sunda Is., Maine, Mali, Manchuria, Manitoba, Marianas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mozambique, Nebraska, Nepal, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Caledonia, New Guinea, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, Newfoundland, Nicaragua, Niger, Norfolk Is., North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Northern Territory, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Paraguay, Pennsylvania, Peru, Philippines, Prince Edward I., Puerto Rico, Queensland, Québec, Rhode I., Rodrigues, Rwanda, Réunion, Society Is., Solomon Is., South Australia, South Carolina, South Dakota, Sri Lanka, St.Helena, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Tibet, Trinidad-Tobago, Tristan da Cunha, Tubuai Is., Uruguay, Utah, Venezuela, Vermont, Victoria, Vietnam, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Western Australia, Windward Is., Wisconsin, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Zaïre, Zimbabwe.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial/Annual
Days to Maturity: 40-45 days
Hardiness: Watercress is not frost tolerant, and the leaves will be impacted by a frost. If a frost threatens use row covers, cloches, a cold frame, etc. to protect plants. Watercress is perennial in zones 6 - 9. If growing in containers in other zones, bring plants indoors and supply adequate light and water. If growing in water, it usually isn't as affected by frost.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Fall
Growing Season: Short, Long.
Growing Conditions: The cultivation of Watercress is rather specialized, because of specific habitat requirements, but it grows easily enough if given the right conditions. It grows best in springs, ditches and shallow streams. In Europe it was once grown in special Watercress beds, created beside streams to take advantage of the slowly flowing water. It will grow in any wet soil, so long as it isn’t too still or stagnant (which can cause the plants to rot). Watercress is very sensitive to pollution, so it should always be given clean water.
Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water, it can be grown on dry land. However care must be taken to keep it moist and it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of organic matter), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 45°F - 85°F.
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 35°F. Don't plant outdoors until your soil reaches at least 35˚ F.
Start Indoors: No.
Start Outdoors: Yes.
Light: Part Shade (cool, warm). Watercress will do well in a partially shady place and won’t need as much water if it is out of direct sunlight.
Water: High. Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water, it can be grown on dry land. However care must be taken to keep it moist and it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of organic matter), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out. It's also wise to plant Watercress in the shade so that the soil does not dry out as fast. Watercress will need frequent watering if it isn’t growing in water (every day in dry weather). For good growth the soil must be kept moist all the time.
Feeder: Moderate. Watercress is accustomed to being bathed in nutrients as they float by, so it needs a fertile soil. If the soil isn’t very fertile you should give it an occasional feed of compost tea or liquid kelp.
Suitability: Tolerates light frost, partial shade.
Small Gardens?: Yes.
Containers?: Yes. Watercress is often grown in containers that are partially submerged in trays of water. The water should be refreshed at least every 2 days - keeping the water fresh is the key to healthy Watercress. Space plants 3 to 4" apart. Gardeners commonly use a soilless mix of vermiculite and compost for Watercress in containers.
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: No.
Plant Height: 12-24"
Spacing: 3-6" large, 2-3" for small
Sow Depth: 1/4"
Produces: dark green hollow stems, green ovate to round pungent leaves that have scalloped edges, and fragrant white flowers and small pods of edible seeds.
Hardiness Zone: 2-5 Annual
6-11 Perennial
Soil Preparation
Soil PH: 5.0-8.0, Ideal 6.5-7.5. It will grow in any wet soil, so long as it isn’t too still or stagnant (which can cause the plants to rot). It does best in a limey soil with plenty of humus.
Soil Preparation:
Compost (Nitrogen), 2" 1 time. Incorporate 2" of compost along with your standard mix into the soil before planting.
Standard Mix, 5 pounds per 100 sq. ft., in top 8" of soil, 1 time: A standard mix will supply all necessary nutrients. This is a mix of various amendments intended to supply all of the nutrients plants may require. It is usually incorporated into the soil prior to planting. The mix consists of:
- 4 parts cottonseed meal (this is high in nitrogen and relatively inexpensive)
- 2 parts colloidal phosphate or bone meal (for phosphorus)
- 2 parts wood ash or 3 parts greensand or granite dust (for potassium)
- 1 part dolomitic limestone (to balance pH and add calcium and magnesium)
- 1 part kelp meal (for trace elements)
Mix these together thoroughly. You can do this all at once, or you can store them separately and mix as needed.
Start Indoors
Soil temp for germination: 45°F to 75°F, optimal 60°F to 70°F, optimal 65°F
Total weeks to grow transplant: 7 to 8 (Spring/Summer), 7 to 8 (Fall/Winter)
Transplant Outdoors
Watercress also transplants well, so you could take some from the wild and re-domesticate it.
Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water, it can be grown on dry land. However, care must be taken to keep it moist and it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of organic matter), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out. It's also wise to plant Watercress in the shade so that the soil does not dry out as fast. Keep the soil very moist.
Cool, Warm: The cultivation of Watercress is rather specialized, because of specific habitat requirements, but it grows easily enough if given the right conditions. It grows best in springs, ditches and shallow streams. In Europe it was once grown in special Watercress beds, created beside streams to take advantage of the slowly flowing water. It will grow in any wet soil, so long as it isn’t too still or stagnant (which can cause the plants to rot). Watercress is very sensitive to pollution, so it should always be given clean water.
Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water, it can be grown on dry land. However care must be taken to keep it moist and it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of organic matter), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out.
When outdoor temp: 45°F to 85°F, optimal temp 65°F to 75°F.
When min soil temp: 35°F. Don't plant outdoors until your soil reaches at least 35˚ F.
Spacing: 9-12", 2 plants per sq. ft. Start plants to 4" apart. Thin 9 - 12" apart. The thinnings are great on salads or for appetizers with fancy mini greens.
Rows: Space plants 16 - 24" apart in rows space 18 - 24" apart.
Support: No.
Start Outdoors
Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water, it can be grown on dry land. However care must be taken to keep it moist and it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of organic matter), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out.
When outdoor temp: 45°F to 85°F, optimal temp 65°F to 75°F
When min soil temp: 35°F. Don't plant outdoors until your soil reaches at least 35˚ F.
Seed Depth: 0.25". Plant 1/4" deep in moist soil.
Spacing: 9-12", 2 plants per sq. ft. Start plants to 4" apart. Thin 9 - 12" apart. The thinnings are great on salads or for appetizers with fancy mini greens.
Rows: Space plants 16 - 24" apart in rows space 18 - 24" apart.
Spring Crop: Watercress is usually sown about 1/2" apart and 1/4" deep in very moist soil.
Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water - it can be grown on dry land. However, care must be taken to keep it moist - it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of organic matter), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out. Its also wise to plant Watercress in the shade so that the soil does not dry out as fast. Keep soil very moist.
Fall Crop: A fall planting of Watercress can be sown directly into the soil, about 1/2" apart and 1/4" deep in very moist soil. It often does best when sown in fall as it won't bolt quickly, as it tends to do in spring.
Support: No
The cultivation of Watercress is rather specialized, because of specific habitat requirements, but it grows easily enough if given the right conditions. If growing on dry land, instead of in the water, be sure to keep the soil very moist.
Water Needs: High. Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water, it can be grown on dry land. However care must be taken to keep it moist and it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of organic matter), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out. It's also wise to plant Watercress in the shade so that the soil does not dry out as fast. Watercress will need frequent watering if it isn’t growing in water (every day in dry weather). For good growth the soil must be kept moist all the time.
Fertilizer Needs: Moderate. Watercress is accustomed to being bathed in nutrients as they float by, so it needs a fertile soil. If the soil isn’t very fertile you should give it an occasional feed of compost tea or liquid kelp.
Support: No.
Crop Care After First year:
The cultivation of Watercress is rather specialized, because of specific habitat requirements, but it grows easily enough if given the right conditions. If growing on dry land, instead of in the water, be sure to keep the soil very moist.
Water Needs: High. Watercress doesn’t have to be grown in water, it can be grown on dry land. However care must be taken to keep it moist and it isn’t as vigorous under these conditions. A good way to grow it is in shallow trenches (enrich the soil with lots of organic matter), which slows down the rate at which the soil dries out. It's also wise to plant Watercress in the shade so that the soil does not dry out as fast. Watercress will need frequent watering if it isn’t growing in water (every day in dry weather). For good growth the soil must be kept moist all the time.
Water, 0.5 inch, 3 times a week: Watercress will need frequent watering if it isn’t growing in water (every day in dry weather). For good growth the soil must be kept moist all the time. If you are growing in semi-submerged containers, refresh the water at least every 2 days - providing plenty of fresh water is key growing healthy Watercress. Watering also depends on your local weather; don't water if it's raining, or water more frequently if it's dry.
Fertilizer Needs: Moderate. Watercress is accustomed to being bathed in nutrients as they float by, so it needs a fertile soil. If the soil isn’t very fertile you should give it an occasional feed of compost tea or liquid kelp.
Side Dressing: Compost tea, 5 gallons per 100 sq. ft., every 4 weeks. If your Watercress isn't doing well, give it a foliar feed of compost tea or liquid kelp every month for maximum production. Do this during the growing season - once your plant goes dormant for the winter you no longer need to feed it.
Support: No
Harvesting
When grown in water (with its temperature moderating influence) Watercress can often be gathered year round. Leaves are palatable at nearly any size.
When and How:
Leaves: Watercress is typically ready to harvest around 50 days after sowing. When growing in water (with its temperature moderating influence) Watercress can often be gathered year round. Gather the plants by pinching off the growing tips, leaving the roots and lower leaves to continue growing. It is usually palatable at all times and stages of growth. Remove any flower heads that form, so the plant can devote its energy to vegetative growth.
Storage
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-3 days
Watercress is often propagated vegetatively, so you may not even need to save seed.
Seed Viability in Years: 2 - 5 years
Culinary
Watercress leaves have a hot peppery taste which improves in cool weather. Watercress seeds have a mustard-like flavor.
Culinary Use:
Leaves: raw or cooked. Water cress is mainly used as a garnish or as an addition to salads, the flavor is strong with a characteristic hotness. It has a reputation as a spring tonic, and this is its main season of use, though it can be harvested for most of the year and can give 10 pickings annually. The leaves are exceptionally rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iron.
Seed: The seed can be sprouted and eaten in salads. A hot mustardy flavor. The seed is ground into a powder and used as a mustard. The pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mild but bitter mustard.
Medicinal
Known hazards of Nasturtium officinale: Whilst the plant is very wholesome and nutritious, some care should be taken if harvesting it from the wild. Any plants growing in water that drains from fields where animals, particularly sheep, graze should not be used raw. This is due to the risk of it being infested with the liver fluke parasite. Cooking the leaves, however, will destroy any parasites and render the plant perfectly safe to eat.
Companion Planting
Problems
Whiteflies
To attract Ladybugs to your garden you will need to grow: Angelica, Calendula, Caraway, Chives, Cilantro, Cosmos, Dill, Fennel, Feverfew, Marigold, Statice, Sweet Alyssum, and Yarrow. You may also want to grow decoy crops to keep your ladybugs supplied with aphids to eat such as Early cabbage, Marigold, Nasturtium, and Radish. Without a food source, your ladybugs will be forced to leave which will leave your crops vulnerable.
Green Lacewings: Preys on Aphids, Flea beetles, Whitefly, Leafhopper, Mealybugs, and Caterpillars of pest moths.
To attract Green Lacewings to your garden you will need to grow: Dill, Angelica, Golden Marguerite, Coriander, and Dandelion.
Big-eyed Bugs: Preys on Aphids, small Caterpillars and Caterpillar eggs, Flea beetles, Fleahoppers, Lygus bugs, Mites, Thrips, Whiteflies.
To attract Big-Eyed Bugs to your garden you will need to grow: Caraway (Carum carvi), Cosmos “white sensation” (Cosmos bipinnatus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Peter Pan Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), and Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia).
Spidermites
To attract Minute Pirate Bugs to your garden you will need to grow: Caraway (Carum carvi), Cosmos “white sensation” (Cosmos bipinnatus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Peter Pan Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), and Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia).
Big-eyed Bugs: Preys on Aphids, small Caterpillars and Caterpillar eggs, Flea beetles, Fleahoppers, Lygus bugs, Mites, Thrips, Whiteflies.
To attract Big-Eyed Bugs to your garden you will need to grow: Caraway (Carum carvi), Cosmos “white sensation” (Cosmos bipinnatus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Peter Pan Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), and Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia).
Lacewings: Green lacewings are common generalist predators that feed on aphids. Brown lacewings are slightly smaller. Some species of adult lacewings are predaceous while the larvae are very active predators that feed on soft-bodied prey such as mites, aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, whiteflies, and pest eggs. Lacewings in nearly all life stages are commercially available.
To attract Lacewings to your garden you will need to grow: Fern-leaf yarrow (Achillea filipendulina), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Angelica (Angelica gigas), Golden marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria), Four-wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata), Caraway (Carum carvi), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Cosmos white sensation (Cosmos bipinnatus), Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Prairie sunflower (Helianthus maximilianii), Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).
Slugs & Snails
To attract Earwigs to your garden you will need to grow: Celery (Apium graveolens), Beets (Beta vulgaris, Cabbages, Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea/Brassica rapa), Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Dahlia, Carrot (Daucus carota), Carnation (Dianthus), Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), Hop (Humulus lupulus), Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), Apple (Malus domestica), Apricot (Prunus armeniaca), Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium), Plum (Prunus domestica), Peach (Prunus persica), European Pear (Pyrus communis), Rhubarb (Rheum hybridum), Roses (Rosa), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Grapevine (Vitis vinifera), Corn (Zea mays), Zinnia.
Ground Beetles: Prey on Snails, Slugs, Ants, Maggots, Earthworms, Caterpillars, Armyworms, Grubs, Colorado Potato Beetles, and Cutworms.
To attract Ground Beetles to your garden you will need to grow: Evening Primrose, Amaranthus, and Clover.
Suggested Varieties
(Allium tuberosum ‘Garlic')
Garlic Chive is a clump-forming annual herb that is native to Asia but can be found growing throughout the Midwest, and along the southern and eastern coasts of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 10-18" and features 12” tapering, soft textured, cylindrical leaves, leafless stems, and 2” violet scented, star-shaped, white flowers that have brown striped tepals. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, repels aphids, carrot fly, Japanese beetles, and moles, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought and frost, is used to make fungicides and insecticides, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Allium schoenoprasum ‘Onion')
Onion Chive is a native clump-forming perennial herb that can be found growing throughout the northern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 20” and features 12” dark green grassy-like leaves and 16” stems that are topped with aromatic pale purple clover-like flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and pollinating moths, repels aphids, carrot fly, Japanese beetles, and moles, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought and frost, is used to make fungicides and insecticides, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Allium fistulosum 'Evergreen White Bunching')
Evergreen White Bunching Onion is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Asia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-20” and features 12–14" bright green, hollow stalks and greenish-white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought and light frost, makes dye, repels moles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Mentha ‘piperita’)
Peppermint is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and central Asia but can be commonly found growing in wetlands and along streams throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-2' and features 1-2” dark green, toothed, lance-shape, aromatic leaves and terminal spikes that bare small pinkish/lavender flowers. This plant can be grown in containers, attracts bees and butterflies, repels ants, aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, squash bugs, and white flies, is resistant to deer and rabbits, is sued to make essential oils and potpourri, its leaves are used to repel rodents, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Mentha spicata ‘Spear’)
Spearmint is a perennial herb that is a native from Europe and China but can be commonly found growing in wetlands and along streams throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features erect, hairy stems, 3” aromatic, oval-shaped, sharply toothed pointed leaves and 4” tapering terminal spikes that bare pale purple or pink flowers. This plant can be grown in containers, attracts bees, butterflies, and damsel bugs, repels ants, aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, mice, squash bugs, and white flies, is resistant to deer and rabbits, is used to make essential oils and potpourri, its leaves are used to repel rodents, is used to flavor toothpaste, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Amana Orange')
Amana Orange Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather perennial vegetable that is native to Iowa, where it was named by Gary Staley after the Amana Colonies of Amana, Iowa. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 60-84” and features globe shaped, reddish orange beefsteak indeterminate tomatoes that average 1-2 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Arkansas Traveler')
Arkansas Traveler Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Arkansas, where it was bred by the University of Arkansas in 1968. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 60-84” and features slightly flattened, 8 oz. bright-red/orange-tinged, smooth tomatoes. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum' Ananas Noire')
Ananas Noire Tomato is a tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Belgium where it was developed by Pascal Moreau in 2005. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-10' and features 1-2 lbs. dark purple and green colored tomatoes that have a green, red, pink, and yellow colored flesh. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soaps, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Beefsteak')
Beefsteak Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New York, where it was bred by Peter Henderson in 1894. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-60” and features indeterminate, globe shaped, slightly ribbed red tomatoes that average 1-2 pounds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Krim')
Black Krim Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Russia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 48-72” and features indeterminate, globe shaped tomatoes that vary in color from reddish brown to purplish green, and average 10-16 ounces. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Prince'
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Green Zebra')
Green Zebra Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Washington, where it was bred by Tom Wagner in 1983. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 60-84” and features indeterminate, globe shaped greenish yellow tomatoes striped with green, averaging 3-5 ounces. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!