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An armload of Cress Pennycress
An armload of Cress Pennycress
Cress Pennycress growing in the field
Cress Pennycress growing in the field
A bunch of Cress Pennycress

Cress ‘Pennycress’

Thlaspi arvense

Features

  • Dryable
  • Easy to grow
  • Edible
  • Foliage & Filler
  • One-hit wonder

Description

A friend gifted me seeds from her Pennycress, and legend has it that it has been growing in the Skagit Valley since the year I was born. The bright, clean, apple-green stems are well-branched and loaded with round, textural seedpods. As seed heads mature, they turn the color of wheat. Succession-planting is recommended as pods come on all at once. Cress is a terrific textural filler for bouquets and can be dried for autumn wreaths.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 50 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 2 to 4 in
Pinch: do not pinch

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed, or direct-seed as soon as the ground can be worked. Succession-plant every 2 weeks for continual harvest. Don’t pinch plants.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when seedpods are fully formed and the top blooms have faded. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days. Seed heads can be dried and used indefinitely. To dry, hang upside down in a warm, dark place until firm.

Details

Description

A friend gifted me seeds from her Pennycress, and legend has it that it has been growing in the Skagit Valley since the year I was born. The bright, clean, apple-green stems are well-branched and loaded with round, textural seedpods. As seed heads mature, they turn the color of wheat. Succession-planting is recommended as pods come on all at once. Cress is a terrific textural filler for bouquets and can be dried for autumn wreaths.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 50 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 2 to 4 in
Pinch: do not pinch

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed, or direct-seed as soon as the ground can be worked. Succession-plant every 2 weeks for continual harvest. Don’t pinch plants.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when seedpods are fully formed and the top blooms have faded. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days. Seed heads can be dried and used indefinitely. To dry, hang upside down in a warm, dark place until firm.

Sources

How to Grow

How to Grow

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