Great Yellow Cress
Rorippa amphibiafam. Brassicaceae
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Pl. 213F — Rorippa amphibia
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IOverview
Overview
Great Yellow Cress (Rorippa amphibia) is a perennial herb native to Central and Southern Europe, as well as parts of Asia and North Africa. This plant thrives in moist to wet conditions and can be found growing in light, medium, or heavy soil types with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. It reaches heights of up to 1.2 meters and is known for its edible leaves, making it a valuable addition to gardens where it can serve both ornamental and culinary purposes. Its native range includes Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and other regions, highlighting its adaptability across diverse climates. One distinctive feature of this plant is its light-loving nature, with an energetic rating that reflects its preference for well-lit areas.
Quick answers
What is Great Yellow Cress?
Great Yellow Cress (Rorippa amphibia) is a perennial herb native to Central and Southern Europe, as well as parts of Asia and North Africa. This plant thrives in moist to wet conditions and can be found growing in light, medium, or heavy soil types with a pH between 5.
What is Great Yellow Cress used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Great Yellow Cress
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Great Yellow Cress appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a traditional preparation. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Great Yellow Cress support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Great Yellow Cress thrives in moist to wet conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5. It is hardy in temperate regions from zones 5-9 and can grow up to 1.2 meters tall as a perennial forb/herb. For best results, plant it in full sun to partial shade. Propagate through seeds or division in spring or fall. Harvest its edible leaves for culinary use.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist, Wet, water
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.2 m tall
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Great Yellow Cress for the first time
7steps
Great Yellow Cress is a forgiving plant for beginners, making it an excellent choice for your first gardening project.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a container with good drainage, and potting soil.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a container that is at least 12 inches deep with well-draining, moist soil. Ensure the pH is between 5.5 and 6.5.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside. Transplant young plants into the container or garden.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and provide partial shade to help the plant establish itself.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Prune any dead or yellowing leaves to encourage new growth.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune the plant by cutting back stems to about 2 inches above ground level after flowering to promote bushier growth.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The Great Yellow Cress is edible and its leaves are commonly consumed. Typically, the leaves are used fresh in salads or cooked as a green vegetable. They can also be dried for later use. The plant thrives in moist to wet conditions with a soil pH of 5.5–6.5.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe16 regions
native (16)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsRussiaUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia3 regions
native (3)IranIraqKazakhstan
Broader regions
native:Turkey-in-Europe, Altay, Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk
VIIIGarden companions
1 pair
Garden companions
1 pairPlant near these
These plants help — by repelling pests, fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators, or sharing space well.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Brassicaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Brassicaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 213f64eb-90f4-45a1-a1b5-f45f289418e9
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