How to grow Watercress in aquarium or pond

How to grow Watercress in an aquarium or a pond:

Watercress grows quickly in water & it is a beginners’ plant because it grows on its own after adding it to the aquarium. Watercress is a perennial plant that originates from Europe & Asia. It lives in cool flowing streams, where it can grow submerged, or floating on the surface of water. It grows young shoots that are edible. Another name of Watercress is Nasturtium officinale.

Growing Watercress in an aquarium or a pond

Watercress is a highly effective water cleaning plant that changes its nutrition consumption depending on the environment. In a stream in New Zealand, there is an abundance of ammonia, nitrates & phosphorus. Mature watercress in the streams can clean the water during watercress’ highest growing times when they absorb highest nutrition.

 

Method 1: How to grow watercress by purchasing cuttings from a grocery:

Step 1:

How to grow Watercress in a pond or an aquarium

It is easy to grow watercress in an aquarium or a pond. The easiest way to grow this plant is from cutting. It can re-grow very easily from a cutting. If you are looking to grow this cutting quickly then buy the one having roots.

Select the watercress cutting that has a darker green with a bright, full leaf at the top. If cutting has a longer stem then it is easy to regrow it in a pot.

Step 2: 

Make a hole in the middle of a round foam

Make a hole in the center of a round foam & set it up in a pot. Plant watercress in the middle of the foam in this pot.

Step 3:

Add watercress to a pot

I purchased watercress from a grocery & cut stems. I inserted a bunch of cuttings in the center of a foam. It is important to make a big hole so there is more space for the watercress to expand because when this plant is growing, the stems will become thicker & it will need more space inside the foam.

Step 4:

Put watercress pot on the surface of pond water

Place the pot containing the watercress on the surface of pond water.

Step 5:

Big pot for watercress plant

It grows quickly & you will need a larger pot soon after planting the cutting. Use a pot that has enough space to support the plant in future, & I am using canna clay pebbles as substrate instead of foam. I have washed the pot & substrate to wipe out the dirt.

Step 6:

Watercress is added to a big pot

I have moved the plant to another pot by gently taking it out from the original pot & adding it to the new pot. I have chosen a big pot & quality substrate that will help the plant in better growth.

This video tutorial shows how to grow watercress in a pond:

How to grow watercress in a pond?

Benefits of a Netted Pot:

Netted pot is better for watercress because the plant will get nutrition through its roots from water. It is a good idea to think about the future of the plant before choosing the size of the pot. Large pots are better because they offer enough space for the plant to expand. A 3 inches pot is good.

Method 2: How to grow watercress by taking a cutting from a plant:

Step 1:

Watercress regrows by taking a cutting from a mature plant. Cut a leafy branch from an adult watercress plant.

Step 2:

Fill a cup with warm water & add the cutting to it. It will float on the water surface. You can grow many cuttings by planting multiple cuttings together in a bucket. Do not keep the bucket in harsh weather & plenty of sunlight is best for the plant. Keep the watercress in over 10 C.

Step 3:

If your plant starts producing roots then you can shift it to a pond or an aquarium. Watercress will adjust itself well to the new environment. Roots will start growing in about a week.