Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment Would watercress become invasive in a pond?

I'd like to grow some watercress. One of best areas would be the shoreline, above and below the mean water line, on the north side of my pond. It stays wet most of the year and it gets sun nearly all day long. A number of years ago I created a wetland above this shoreline that acts as a water filter for runoff from a pasture above my pond. I recently planted a bunch of horse radish in it. I wouldn't mind if the watercress invaded that area, but I don't want it taking over my pond.

I'm concerned, as it is listed as an invasive species by many states -- but not Virginia, nor West Virginia. I've looked at a whole bunch of university and government websites, but they don't say what it might do in ponds like many of us have. It sounds like it can't live in more than six inches of water, but . . .

Anybody have experience with growing it?

Thanks,
Ken

I've never seen it growing in water deeper than about a foot. So I doubt it would take over your whole pond. Never tried growing it as it grows wild in a number of places where I can easily collect it.

Yes,offcourse watercress will become invasive in a pond.

A few years ago I bought water cress at the grocery store, planted it along the shore and it was growing OK then disappeared. I think my grass carp eat it.

Ken, there's a ditch about 1/2 mile from the house that is wet all the time, but never more than a couple inches of water and it has watercress growing in it. I've never seen it around any of the ponds in the area, so I say go for it and let us know how it does.

I may try it in a couple of places. There is a small stream that crosses our powerline right of way up front on our property. I may try some there too.

Seeds are cheap. The smallest pack I could find was one ounce of seeds, which I believe is about 150,000 seeds. They are kind of tiny.

Brassica seeds are tiny buggers!

that would be neat to grow, let us know how it works out.