Yellow Marsh Cress
Rorippa palustris
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Pl. 1FDF — Rorippa palustris
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IOverview
Overview
Yellow Marsh Cress (Rorippa palustris) is a hardy annual or biennial forb/herb that thrives across North America, Europe, and Asia, including regions such as Afghanistan, Alabama, Alaska, and Albania. This plant is commonly found in moist to wet conditions, thriving in light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 6.5 and 7. Its distinctive feature includes the ability to grow up to 0.6 meters in height, making it an attractive addition to gardens where space and moisture are abundant. The leaves of Yellow Marsh Cress are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. Typically, they are prepared in salads for a fresh taste or steamed as a vegetable. This plant is adaptable to various climates within its native range and has been introduced into regions such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and parts of Australia. While Yellow Marsh Cress is not medicinal, it serves as an ornamental and edible addition to gardens. However, gardeners should be cautious due to its potential for becoming a weed in some areas.
Quick answers
What is Yellow Marsh Cress?
Yellow Marsh Cress (Rorippa palustris) is a hardy annual or biennial forb/herb that thrives across North America, Europe, and Asia, including regions such as Afghanistan, Alabama, Alaska, and Albania.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Yellow Marsh Cress thrives in moist to wet conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils. It is hardy in temperate regions and can be found growing as an annual or biennial forb/herb up to 0.6 meters tall. For best results, plant it in soil with a pH of 6.5–7. Provide ample light, ensuring the plant receives at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Harvest the edible leaves for use in cooking.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual, Biennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
Soil pH
6.5–7
For first-time growers
How to grow Yellow Marsh Cress for the first time
7steps
Start with Yellow Marsh Cress to gain confidence in your gardening skills.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, a container or garden bed, potting soil if using containers.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Yellow Marsh Cress in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is moist, with a pH between 6.5 and 7. Use well-draining soil for containers.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden or start them indoors and transplant when they have two true leaves.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination. Thin seedlings to about 30 cm apart.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around plants for moisture retention.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune or harvest leaves as needed, taking only a few from each plant to encourage new growth.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Yellow Marsh Cress are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. Typically, they are prepared in salads for a fresh taste or steamed as a vegetable. The plant thrives in moist, light to heavy soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7. Its annual or biennial nature makes it adaptable to various climates within its native range.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
151 native · 21 introduced
Distribution
151 native · 21 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 151 native· 21 introduced
Europe23 regions
native (23)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia16 regions
native (16)AfghanistanBangladeshChinaGeorgiaIndiaJapanKazakhstanMongoliaNepalPakistanSouth KoreaTaiwanTurkeyTurkmenistanUzbekistanYemen
Americas8 regions
native (2)NicaraguaUnited States
introduced (6)BoliviaColombiaEcuadorPeruPuerto RicoSuriname
Africa4 regions
native (4)EgyptEthiopiaLibyaSudan
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Alberta, Altay, Amur, Arizona, Arkansas, Baltic States, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District of Columbia, East Himalaya, Florida, Gulf States, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Irkutsk, Jawa, Kamchatka, Kansas, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Labrador, Lesser Sunda Is., Louisiana, Magadan, Maine, Maluku, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nansei-shoto, Nebraska, Nevada, New Guinea, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tadzhikistan, Tennessee, Texas, Transcaucasus, Tuva, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia, Yukon
introduced:Aleutian Is., Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Brazil North, Brazil South, Chile Central, Chile South, New South Wales, Panamá, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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