Hot and he althy - because of its high vitamin C content, spoonwort used to be found in every herb garden. The uncomplicated cultivation of the edible spoonwort is still worthwhile today.
The spoonwort (Cochlearia officinalis) is related to the cress and is used in a similar way. In this article we explain how to successfully grow the herb in the garden, what varieties there are and how it is used in the kitchen.
Common spoonwort: origin and properties
Cochlearia officinalis is also called spoon cress, bitter cress and Scharbocksheil. Because of its high vitamin C content, it used to help sailors against the deficiency disease scurvy and is therefore also known as scurvy herb.
The spoonwort is at home from the coasts of Europe to the Alps and Pyrenees. It thrives particularly well in the saline marshland and on the s alt marshes of the North and B altic Seas.
The spoonwort belongs to the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae) and is therefore associated with mustard (Sinapis alba), radishes (Raphanus sativus var Sativus), rocket (Eruca sativa), watercress (Lepidium sativum) and all cabbage plants.
The biennial herb grows 20 to 40 cm tall and forms dark green, spoon-like, fleshy leaves on an angular stem. The shape of the leaves gives the spoonwort its name. In the second year, from April to June, small white flowers open on racemose inflorescences. During the short flowering period, they exude a honeyed scent and attract numerous insects.
Different Types
Bavarian spoonwort (Cochlearia bavarica) is a rarity because it is endemic to the Bavarian foothills of the Alps. That means it can only be found there.
Slightly better known are English spoonwort (Cochlearia anglica) and Danish spoonwort (Cochlearia danica ). One finds both on the s alt marshes of the north andB altic coast. Visually, the two species are difficult to distinguish from the common spoonwort, they are just a little smaller.
All three species presented can be used like the spoonwort and are also real vitamin C bombs.
Growing spoonwort: location, sowing and procedure
Cultivation of the spoonwort is very easy if it is provided with a sufficiently moist and partially shaded location. Even a slightly s alty substrate doesn't bother him. The humus richer the soil, the more lush the spooncress will grow. Your own compost is ideal for increasing the humus content of the subsoil. But this should be rotted for a good year. If you don't have a compost heap in your garden, why not try amending the soil with our nutrient-rich, peat-free Plantura organic compost. The organic soil made in Germany improves soil quality and root growth.
Especially if your garden soil is rather dry and sandy, it makes sense to cultivate the spoonwort in a pot. This makes watering more efficient and the water supply is guaranteed.
Sow directly into the bed from March to April. But autumn sowing in September is also possible, since the spoonwort is hardy. Seeds are placed in shallow seed furrows 20-25 cm apart with minimal or no soil coverage. Because the spoonwort is a light germinator that needs brightness to germinate. Evenly moist soil is important for successful seed emergence after 2 to 3 weeks. Then the small plants are separated at a distance of 10 to 15 cm to give them enough space to grow.
Tip: In sufficiently moist and partially shaded locations, the spoonwort reproduces easily by self-sowing. If you prefer to sow the spoonwort in a targeted manner, you should better harvest the seeds. These form in small capsules after flowering. As soon as these look brown and dry, they can be harvested.
The right care
The spoonwort has a medium nutrient requirement and should therefore only be fertilized moderately. A once-a-year fertilizer application with a mainly organic long-term fertilizer with a balanced ratio of the main nutrients is completely sufficient. For example, you can use our PlanturaUse organic universal fertilizer, which consists of natural raw materials and valuable minerals. It is easy to dose and releases nutrients slowly and as needed. Alternatively, well-ripened compost is also suitable.
It is important that the soil is kept permanently moist. This works well by covering the soil around the plants with a layer of green waste mulch to reduce evaporation of water from the soil.
Once the spoonwort has established itself in the garden, you can harvest the lower leaves all year round. During flowering, less new green is formed and the old becomes extremely sharp and a bit hard. Depending on your taste, you can also suspend the harvest at this time. Drought also makes the leaves taste sharper and less fresh, so make sure you're drinking enough water.
Tip: In order to harvest fresh leaves in winter, you should cover the spooncress with some pine greens or fleece. Then the herb stays green all year round.
Is spoonwort poisonous?
The spoonwort is not poisonous to humans or animals.
Effect and use of spoonwort
The spoonwort is known for its high vitamin C content and is therefore very he althy. The mustard oils it contains give the herb a sharp, piquant taste - similar to garden cress. As an herb, it goes well with potato dishes, tastes delicious in herb quark, green smoothies, salads and sandwiches. Furthermore, spoonwort is said to have an invigorating effect, which can be useful against spring fatigue. In addition, the herb is said to have a digestive and blood-cleansing effect due to the mustard oils and flavonoids it contains. However, it is not worth drying the herb, as almost all of the ingredients and flavors are lost.
For other garden herbs you can grow in a less sunny garden, see our article on herbs for partial shade.