Watercress is naturally found in free-flowing alkaline streams, and as a crop, it thrives best in hydroponic systems, including open water ponds, hydroponic greenhouses, and vertical farms. Traditionally, farmers planted watercress in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water bodies like streams, rivers, and canals with moderately alkaline conditions. Watercress is a sun-loving, water-loving perennial that grows naturally along running waterways. Thought to have originated in Ancient Greece, it is one of the oldest known leafy vegetables consumed by humans. While the plant is recognized for its nutritional value, its biological properties have often been overlooked. As a member of the Brassicaceae family, watercress is related to other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, radish, Brussels sprouts, mustard, and kale. Nasturtium officinale, a wild edible species of the Nasturtium genus, holds significant interest among medicinal plant specialists. Historically, watercress has provided rural and local communities with food security and medicinal benefits. In the future, watercress has the potential to help meet the growing demand for vegetables, maintain market stability, and support the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative, which is a crucial need in the present time.