Cochlearia officinalis
Common scurvygrass
Common names: Spoonwort
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Spacing
- 20 cm, rows 25 cm
- Lifespan
- Biennial
- Sowing
- Mar, Apr, Aug, Sep
- Harvest
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −15 °C
- Water need
- High
- Origin
- Native to Germany
Photo: Brandt, Wilhelm; Gürke, M.; Köhler, F. E.; Pabst, G.; Schellenberg, G.… · Public Domain · Source
Description
Cochlearia officinalis, commonly known as common scurvygrass, is a biennial to perennial wild vegetable in the Brassicaceae family that grows along coasts and moist sites. Its spoon‑shaped, fleshy leaves taste mildly peppery, similar to garden cress, and are rich in vitamin C. Historically it was used by sailors as a scurvy remedy when fresh produce was scarce. In the garden it thrives best in a cool, consistently damp location.
Care instructions
Cochlearia officinalis prefers loose, humus‑rich soil that never dries out completely; water regularly and generously when dry. Sow from March to April or in late summer from August directly into the bed; week 12 to 16 of the year is a good starting point. A semi‑shaded to sunny spot with even moisture produces tender, mild leaves; harsh midday sun dries the soil too quickly. Harvest outer leaves continuously once the plant has formed a small rosette, as it will regrow. The plant is frost‑hardy and requires no special protection in winter.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
SowingMar–Apr, Aug–Sep
HarvestApr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Germination
- Soil temperature
- from 5 °C, ideally 12 °C
- Days to sprout
- 14 to 35 days
- Light
- Needs light to sprout
- Sowing depth
- Press in, don't cover
- How to start
- Sow straight into the bed
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, sandy
Scurvy grass likes moist to wet conditions; in the wild it grows on coasts and on salty, humus-rich soils. In the bed it thrives in loose, nutrient-rich soil that never dries out completely. The plant tolerates waterlogging well; a sunny to partly shaded spot with even moisture is ideal.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Apr–Jun
One dose of mature compost in spring is usually enough for the whole season. If you grow it in a pot, water with diluted nettle feed every few weeks from April. Scurvy grass thanks you for even nutrient supply with strong, tangy leaf growth.
Overwintering
Scurvy grass is hardy and usually survives frost without protection; at very exposed sites a thin layer of leaf mulch helps. In the first year the plant forms a leaf rosette, and the second season brings flowers and seeds. After that the plant dies, but gladly sows itself.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
Scurvy grass is sown directly in the moist bed from March, or started on the windowsill from February. Cover the fine seeds only lightly with soil; as they need light to germinate, they germinate best sown on the surface. With even moisture, the first seedlings appear after about 1 to 2 weeks. Self-seeding is common in this species, and surplus seedlings are easy to move.
Companion planting
Good neighbors
legume family (Fabaceae)
particularly well establishedLeguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanSnow peaWrinkled pea and 36 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
carrot family (Apiaceae)
You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.
For example CarrotCeleriacDillParsleyFlorence fennelCoriander and 21 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice
mint family (Lamiaceae)
You will notice that the intense scent of basil, thyme, and others confuses the cabbage whitefly and keeps it away from the cabbage family.
For example LavenderThymeBasilRosemarySageHyssop and 43 more species in the catalogue
Source: bio-gardening intercropping practice
nasturtium family (Tropaeolaceae)
Nasturtium serves as a trap plant for you. Aphids and cabbage whiteflies prefer it over the brassicaceae next to it.
For example NasturtiumMashua
Source: Trap plant practice in organic horticulture
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Common scurvygrass yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
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