How to Grow Cress in a Paper Towel

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) is a relative of watercress rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and antioxidants. Also known as mustard cress or pepper cress, it adds a nice crunch and a spicy, peppery flavor to salads and sandwiches. Because garden cress is one of the easiest plants to grow, you can grow it yourself indoors on a paper towel and have fresh cress all the time. Growing cress on paper towels also makes a fun and easy project for kids to help them learn how plants grow.

Paper towels
Shallow plastic tray
Cress seeds
Spray bottle (optional)
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Wet several layers of paper towels with water until they are wet but not dripping.
- 2
  Place the paper towels at the bottom of a shallow plastic tray.
- 3
  Scatter a single layer of cress seeds evenly over the paper towels.
- 4
  Place the tray in a sunny area, such as a windowsill.
- 5
  Water the cress seeds daily for two weeks to keep the paper towels moist. A spray bottle filled with water will help you moisten the seeds without overwatering them.
- 6
  Harvest the cress when it is about 2 to 3 inches tall by snipping it off with garden scissors. Rinse the cress before eating it.

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