The best watercress seeds, compared.
Top pick: Just Seed watercress, 6,000 seeds – Highest score at 86: Nasturtium officinale and 6,000 seeds at about £3.50, with 4.3 from 83 reviews and UK notes of a basket, a bucket and a windowsill. Best value: JustSeed watercress, 600 seeds – Best value on a different ASIN, at about £3.10, for one first pot with UK notes of moist compost and a December windowsill, rated 4.2 from 67. Updated 21 October 2026.
Watercress seeds are packets of officinale, a perennial of wet ground, not garden cress, land cress, or the flower sold as nasturtium. This comparison keeps eight amazon.co.uk packets that name watercress or the Latin name. Thompson & and say you should grow it in a pot stood in a tray of water and flush that water, rather than copy a commercial chalk stream. How the species differs from garden cress is set out in [watercress and garden cress](/hub/herb-seeds/watercress-seeds/sub/watercress-seeds-vs-garden-cress). A title that only says cress or halim is a different crop, and the UK traditional-speciality specification notes that land cress is often sold wrongly as watercress. The word nasturtium beside watercress is the old genus, not. The quantity should be a seed count or a gram you can read, not a model number. Mr pieces field shows 21236, which is model 21236, so it is not a seed count. Nika’s title says 3,000 and the items field says 300, so that count is unresolved. One UK review of the 600-seed packet reported a rough count nearer 100. That is one report, not a measured rate.
Watercress seeds are packets of officinale, a perennial of wet ground, not garden cress, land cress, or the flower sold as nasturtium.
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
Where will you grow it?
The Just Seed listing that prints Nasturtium officinale and 6,000 seeds is the packet in this set with both the species and a large count on the title, at about £3.50. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.3 from 83 reviews, and UK texts describe a full-looking packet, seedlings within days in a floating basket, a bucket grown for salad, and a kitchen windowsill crop. One buyer said it did not grow, another waited weeks for a late start in a pot, and a third found seed that seemed dated and stuck together. The page prints Defra 7291 and organic registration AP23164, which is a listing claim rather than a GB-ORG or XI-ORG code visible on a packet photo. Care text asks for full sun and regular watering, and also mentions well drained soil, which fights the wet compost this plant needs. It is the top pick when you want the Latin name and a large count, and you will keep the compost wet.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a large packet with the Latin name on the title and UK reviews that mention the seed actually coming up.
Less suitable: You want a named Aqua variety, a verified organic control-body code, or a packet that tells you to keep the compost wet without also saying well drained.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Latin name on this packet?
Yes. The title says Nasturtium officinale and 6,000 seeds.
What sun and water does the listing give?
Full sun and regular watering. Care text says keep the soil moist and also says well drained soil.
Does a review mention indoor growing?
Yes. A UK review describes kitchen windowsill plants. Another describes a floating basket on a pond.
JustSeed’s 600-seed economy packet is the single bag with the clearest UK growing notes at about £3.10. Across 67 reviews the star line is 4.2, and the texts describe a pot of compost kept constantly moist without running water, thick sowing that was cut and left to regrow, and very small seed that germinated in December on a kitchen windowsill. One reviewer called the taste and look on a par with supermarket cress, while another called the taste only adequate, and one said it never grew properly. A separate UK note was a rough count nearer 100 seeds than the stated 600, which is one report rather than a measured rate. The listing prints Defra 7291 and AP23164, and the plant-type field says Nasturtium, the old genus name, not the bedding flower. It is the best value for a first pot if you do not need 6,000 seeds, though that larger Just Seed packet is cheaper per seed and is the top pick here.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want one economy packet for a wet pot or a windowsill, and you will judge it on UK growing notes rather than on the lowest price in the set.
Less suitable: You need a named Aqua variety, a gram weight you can compare, or thousands of seeds for repeated sowing.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the listing say this can be grown indoors?
The listing asks the question and does not answer it. A UK review says the seed germinated in December on a kitchen windowsill, and another describes pots of moist compost.
Is this packet marked organic?
The material feature says Organic, and the bullets print organic registration AP23164 plus Defra 7291. A control-body code is not on the listing.
How many seeds does the title state?
The title and unit count say 600 seeds. One UK review reported a rough count nearer 100.
This JustSeed listing is four economy packets of 600 watercress seeds at about £12.40, which matches four times the £3.10 single on these listings, so there is no unit-price saving. The part number 7F4-DA7-1C0 is the same as the single 600-seed ASIN, and the reviews match that single too, including moist compost without running water, regrowth after cutting, and a December windowsill. Those reviews do not describe opening four bags. The short-count complaint, a rough tally nearer 100 seeds than 600, is in the same shared block. Bullets still print Defra 7291 and organic registration AP23164. Buy it when you want four packets in one order, and do not read 4.2 from 67 as a separate test of the multipack.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You already want the 600-seed JustSeed packet and you would rather receive four bags in one delivery.
Less suitable: You are looking for a discount, a different variety, or reviews that describe the multipack itself.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this cheaper than four single packets?
On these listings the four-pack is £12.40 and the single 600-seed packet is £3.10, so the unit price matches.
Are the reviews about the four-pack?
The reviews match the single 600-seed ASIN, including a complaint about 600 seeds. They do not describe four packets.
What registration numbers are printed?
The bullets print Defra 7291 and organic registration AP23164, the same lines as the single packet.
Semillas Batlle Watercress Spring is the lowest shelf price here at about £1.70 for a stated 1 g, and the UK listing shows 4.1 from 76 reviews. The bullets give a sow window from February to July and harvest from April to November, in full sun, outdoors. The written reviews are from Spain and Italy, not Britain: a Spanish note says the seed germinates easily, an Italian note says the envelope was empty, and another Spanish note says fewer than half the seeds germinated. The title does not print Nasturtium officinale, and the pieces field says 20 while the unit count is 1.0 gram, so you cannot line it up seed for seed against a 6,000-seed packet. It is a cheap gram with a printed calendar if you accept non-UK review prose and no Latin name on the title.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the cheapest gram in this set and a printed February-to-July sow window, and you will not treat the written reviews as British.
Less suitable: You need UK review prose, a seed count, or Nasturtium officinale on the title before you buy.
Specifications
Common questions
When does the packet say to sow?
The bullets say sow from February to July and harvest from April to November. Sun is full sun and listed use is outdoor.
Are the written reviews from the UK?
No. The written reviews are from Spain and Italy. The star line 4.1 from 76 is on the UK listing.
Is the Latin name printed?
No. The title says Watercress Spring. The pieces field says 20, while the unit count is 1.0 gram.
Mr Fothergill’s Watercress Aqua is the named variety with the most explicit container wording in this set, at about £3.29. The bullets say it is easy to grow even in containers, including baby leaves in small spaces, with partial shade, regular watering, and a summer sow window on the listing. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.1 from 50 reviews. Buyers mention a strong punch of flavour, and one said the seed grew well with plenty of seeds in the packet, while a repeat buyer who had liked earlier packets reported no germination yet in seed compost. The pieces field shows 21236, which is model number 21236, so it is not a seed count on this page. A garden-centre listing for that article number states 1,000 seeds, but that figure is not on the amazon.co.uk listing. The material feature says Natural. Choose it when the Aqua name and the container lines matter, and you can accept an unknown count on Amazon.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want Watercress Aqua for a container or baby leaves, and you will not treat model 21236 as a seed count.
Less suitable: You need a stated seed count on the amazon page, a Latin name in the title, or an organic control-body code.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the listing name a seed count?
No. The pieces field is 21236, which is the same as model number 21236, so it is not a seed count.
Can it be grown in a container?
The bullets say it is easy to grow even in containers, including baby leaves in small spaces. Listed use is outdoor and sun is partial shade.
What nutrition does the packet claim?
The bullets say a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and folate. That is a listing claim, not a test result.
The Unwins pictorial packet is the Aqua listing that states a quantity: 1,000 seeds at about £2.99. The star line is 3.9 from 12 reviews, and the listing has no review text, so there is no account of germination or flavour to weigh. Sun, moisture, listed use, and sow window are absent. The care line only says damp and water. The plant-type field says Brunnenkresse, a German common name for watercress, which does not change the species but shows the page was not written only for a UK shopper. The material feature says Natural, not organic. It suits you if a stated 1,000-seed Aqua packet matters more than review prose, and you will use a UK saucer method rather than wait for this listing to explain sowing.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a named Aqua packet that states 1,000 seeds, and you already know how you will keep the compost wet.
Less suitable: You want UK reviewers describing germination, or a listing that gives a sow month and a depth.
Specifications
Common questions
How many seeds does the title state?
The title and the pieces field say 1,000 seeds.
Is sun or a sow month given?
No. Sun, moisture, listed use and sow window are not on the listing. Care says damp and water.
Are there written reviews?
The star line is 3.9 from 12. The listing has no review text.
Unwins Watercress Aqua at about £2.08 is the cheapest named Aqua packet in this set, and the listing gives you little else to check. The star line is 3.9 from 11 reviews. The only review is about quick delivery of a single item and does not mention germination, flavour, or a pot. Seed count, sun, moisture, and sow window are absent from the listing, though a Unwins brand page for Aqua states 1,000 seeds and that figure is not printed on this ASIN. Bullets say great flavour, easy to grow, and high quality seed, which is catalogue language without a number. The material feature says Natural. It is a low-price Aqua name if that is enough, and the stars are not evidence that the seed came up.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the Unwins Aqua name at the lowest price in this set and you do not need a count on the listing.
Less suitable: You need proof the seed germinated, a stated quantity, or sowing instructions on the amazon page.
Specifications
Common questions
How many seeds are in this packet?
The listing does not state a seed count. Unit count is 1 and item weight is 15 g.
Is it organic?
The material feature says Natural. No organic registration is on the listing.
What do the reviews say about germination?
The only review is about quick delivery of a single item. It does not mention germination.
Nika seeds puts Nasturtium officinale on the title and states 3,000 seeds at about £2.95, then the same listing says 300 in the number of items field, so the count is unresolved. The star line is 3.0 from a single review, and there is no review text, which means there is no account of whether the seed came up. Bullets say the seed is sent in a labelled ziplock, instructions are not attached, and you should sow into pots. Country of origin is given as the United Kingdom, while the brand field on the listing is Generic. There is no organic registration. It is a Latin-name packet only if you can sow without printed instructions and you treat both 3,000 and 300 as unchecked.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You specifically want the Latin name on a cheap packet and you already know how to surface-sow into a wet pot.
Less suitable: You want growing instructions in the bag, a single agreed seed count, or more than one review.
Specifications
Common questions
Are growing instructions in the bag?
The bullets say instructions are not attached. Seed is sent in a labelled ziplock and should be sown into pots.
How many seeds are listed?
The title and unit count say 3,000. The number of items field says 300.
Is there a written review?
The star line is 3.0 from 1. The listing has no review text.
Scores use the eight amazon.co.uk listings kept in this comparison, the prices and star lines on those pages, and the review notes for the same ASINs. This is an editorial score. It is not a germination trial, a vitamin test, or an organic audit of the bag. Weights sum to 100. The highest score is the top pick. Best value is a different ASIN: the 600-seed packet, for one first pot with UK growing notes. The £1.70 packet does not take that place, because the written reviews are from Spain and Italy.
Species and quantity
30%The title should name watercress or Nasturtium officinale, and the quantity should be a seed count or a gram, not a model number. A count that contradicts another field on the same page scores lower. AP23164 beside organic is recorded as a claim, not as a GB-ORG or XI-ORG code.
UK review notes
30%A star line is read first, then the place the words were written. UK notes of a pot, a windowsill, a bucket or a pond basket score higher than a delivery comment, a shared review block, or text from Spain and Italy. No review text scores lower.
Star line and count
25%The amazon.co.uk stars and the review count on that listing. A line of 4.3 from 83 sits above 3.0 from 1. The four-pack repeats the single packet’s 4.2 from 67, so that count is not a second panel.
Price credibility
15%Shelf price in GBP on these listings. A four-pack that matches four times the single price does not gain a value point. The lowest price does not win this block when the written reviews are not from the UK.
Check the species and a quantity you can read before the word organic. A flushed pot of compost is the job UK seed firms describe. A star line is not a seed count.
Watercress seeds are packets of Nasturtium officinale, also called Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum. They are not garden cress (Lepidium sativum), land cress (Barbarea verna), or the flower nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus). The Royal Horticultural Society describes a perennial of wet ground. A title that only says cress or halim is a different crop, and the UK traditional-speciality specification notes that land cress is often sold wrongly as watercress.
Garden cress, land cress, halim and the flower nasturtium are different plants. The UK traditional-speciality note says land cress is often sold wrongly as watercress. Read the species on the title.
Thompson & Morgan say surface-sow and do not cover the seed, and flush the tray. Love The Garden uses a deep saucer. Stale water and buried seed are the usual reasons a wet-pot crop fails.
The four-pack repeats the single 600-seed packet’s reviews. Batlle’s written reviews are from Spain and Italy, even though 4.1 from 76 is the UK star line. Neither block is a germination trial.
Keep watercress or Nasturtium officinale. Drop plain cress, mustard and cress, and halim. Nasturtium beside watercress is the old genus, not Tropaeolum majus. Just Seed states 600 seeds at about £3.10 or 6,000 at about £3.50. The Unwins pictorial packet states 1,000 seeds at about £2.99. Batlle states 1 g at about £1.70. Mr Fothergill’s pieces field shows 21236, the model number, so the seed count on Amazon is unknown. Nika’s title says 3,000 and the items field says 300.
A flushed pot is the method UK seed firms describe. Thompson & Morgan say stand the pot in a tray, flush it about twice a week, surface-sow in March and April or at about 8–15°C, and do not cover the seed. Love The Garden uses a deep saucer and about 10–15 cm spacing. A windowsill can give baby leaves if the compost stays wet. Just Seed’s care text also says well drained soil, which fights that. UK review text exists for the two Just Seed listings and, more thinly, for Mr Fothergill’s.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want peppery leaves and a title that prints Nasturtium officinale, plus a large count. The Just Seed 6,000-seed packet is the top pick at about £3.50, with 4.3 from 83 reviews and UK notes of a basket, a bucket and a windowsill. Keep the compost wet. The care line also says well drained soil, which fights that.
You want one economy packet and UK notes you can read, not the lowest price in the set. The JustSeed 600-seed packet is best value at about £3.10, rated 4.2 from 67. Reviews describe moist compost, cutting and regrowth, and germination in December on a kitchen windowsill. One rough count was nearer 100 seeds than 600.
You want the Aqua name and wording about containers. Mr Fothergill’s Watercress Aqua at about £3.29 says it is easy to grow even in containers, including baby leaves, with partial shade and regular watering. The star line is 4.1 from 50. The amazon.co.uk page does not state a seed count. Model 21236 is not a count.
The top pick is the Just Seed packet that prints Nasturtium officinale and 6,000 seeds, at about £3.50. It scores 86, the highest here, with 4.3 from 83 reviews and UK notes of a pond basket, a bucket and a windowsill. One buyer reported no growth, and the care text also says well drained soil. Best value is a different packet: JustSeed’s 600 seeds at about £3.10, where UK reviews describe a moist pot and a December windowsill. The 6,000-seed packet is cheaper per seed. Skip the 6,000-seed packet if you want a named Aqua variety. Skip the 600-seed packet if you need thousands of seeds or a gram weight you can compare.
Just Seed watercress, 6,000 seeds
Highest score at 86: Nasturtium officinale and 6,000 seeds at about £3.50, with 4.3 from 83 reviews and UK notes of a basket, a bucket and a windowsill.
JustSeed watercress, 600 seeds
Best value on a different ASIN, at about £3.10, for one first pot with UK notes of moist compost and a December windowsill, rated 4.2 from 67.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources named below. amazon.co.uk prices, stars and review counts on these eight listings were read for this comparison. Page updated 21 October 2026.
Expert source (DIY & tools): Lee Burkhill (Garden Ninja) (external profile) – public expert commentary used as a research source, not as a contributor to our pages.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk (tag pcuk26-21). If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are taken from those listings. We did not run a lab test.
