Water yellowcress Plant Care
Rorippa aquatica (Eaton) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rorippa aquatica, the lakecress or lake cress, is a species of freshwater aquatic flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is found in eastern and central North America, generally in the Great Lakes and Mississippi watersheds.
Every 2–3 days
Full sun to part shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Water yellowcress?
Water Water yellowcress every 2–3 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Water yellowcress Native To?
What Is the Water yellowcress?
Water yellowcress (Rorippa aquatica) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Rorippa genus. Water yellowcress is native to eastern and central North America, generally in the Great Lakes and Mississippi watersheds. Water yellowcress is also known as Watercress.
Water yellowcress displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Water yellowcress produces small clusters of white or yellow flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Water yellowcress?
Rorippa aquatica requires watering every 2–3 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–3 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Water yellowcress Need?
Water yellowcress thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Water yellowcress Prefer?
Rorippa aquatica grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Water yellowcress prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water yellowcress?
Moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Water yellowcress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Water yellowcress?
Feed Water yellowcress every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Water yellowcress?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Water yellowcress?
Water yellowcress can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to roundfruit yellowcress plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Water yellowcress Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Water yellowcress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Water yellowcress?
Water yellowcress is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Water yellowcress Need?
Water yellowcress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Water yellowcress is native to eastern and central North America, generally in the Great Lakes and Mississippi watersheds. In cooler regions, grow Water yellowcress as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Water yellowcress is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Rorippa genus — compare its care with other Rorippa species on PlantoScan.
Rorippa is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Water yellowcress thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Rorippa Species
Other Rorippa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Rorippa aquatica (Eaton) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm., family Brassicaceae (first published in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 22(3): 550. 1935 [22 May 1935]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Water yellowcress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Water yellowcress Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species