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Planting, Growing, and Caring for Nasturtium Flowers
The nasturtium is a cheerful flower that does it all! This annual adds a pop of color to the garden, fights insect pests, and is even edible. Pop one in your mouth! Here鈥檚 how to plant and grow nasturtiums (as well as some tasty ways to enjoy them after you harvest the flowers).
About Nasturtiums
These lovely plants, with their unique greenery and vibrant flowers, grow well in containers or as ground cover around vegetable gardens. In fact, they are often used as a trap crop in companion planting, drawing aphids and other garden pests away from the more valuable vegetables.
- Nasturtium is a friend of beans, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, kale, melon, pumpkin, and radish.
Pests aren鈥檛 the only thing nasturtiums attract, however. They are also a favorite of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and their pretty fragrance makes them a good choice for cut-flower gardens, too.
Nasturtiums are grown as annual plants in most areas, though they may perennialize in frost-free zones.
Types of Nasturtiums
There are many varieties of nasturtiums, which are divided into two main types: trailing or climbing types (Tropaeolum majus) and bush types (T. minus). As their names suggest, the main difference between them is their growth habit, with trailing nasturtiums forming long vines and bush nasturtiums remaining more compact. (Bush types are also sometimes called 鈥渄warf鈥 nasturtiums.)
Trailing nasturtiums are a great choice for growing in a window box or hanging basket, as their vines will drape and climb beautifully. Bush nasturtiums are a better choice for smaller gardens where space is limited.
Nasturtiums as Edible Flowers
An important feature of all nasturtiums is their edibility! Nasturtiums鈥 leaves, flowers, and seedpods have a peppery, almost mustard-like taste, which makes them lovely as a salad garnish. The seedpods may also be pickled and used like capers.
Check out our video to learn more about the benefits of growing nasturtiums:
Planting
Plant nasturtiums in full sun (6+ hours of sunlight) for the best results. They will grow in partial shade (3鈥6 hours of sunlight), but won鈥檛 bloom as well.
Soil should be well-draining. Nasturtiums do well in poorer soils and do not typically need extra fertilizer (unless your soil is extremely poor). Too much nitrogen will encourage more foliage than flowers.
Be conscious of the growing habit of the type of nasturtium you鈥檙e growing. Plan to provide support for trailing types.
When to Plant Nasturtiums
Nasturtium seeds may be sown directly in the garden (recommended) or started indoors. Their fragile roots are sensitive to transplanting, so we prefer to sow them directly.
- Indoors: Start seeds 2 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost date.
- Outdoors: Sow seeds 1 to 2 weeks after your last spring frost date. Soil temperatures should ideally be between 55掳 and 65掳F (12掳 and 18掳C). Plan to protect young seedlings from late frosts.
How to Plant Nasturtiums
- Sow the seeds about half an inch deep and 10 to 12 inches apart in the garden.
- Plants should appear in 7 to 10 days.
Pests/Diseases
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- Flea beetles
- Slugs
- Whiteflies
Cooking Notes
Leaves, flowers, and immature seedpods are edible and make for a beautiful garnish on any summer meal! The seedpods may also be pickled.
Catherine Boeckmann
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Is it in a pot? if so, it may be potbound. Transplant it.
Is it mulched? if so, clear that off and let it breathe.
Is it dry? it may need water; nasturtiums like water鈥攁n inch per week.
If the soil is too thick, heavy, or dense, add some soil to thin is.
It may have a bacterial wilt. It could have come from the soil.
They like good soil鈥攕oil that vegetables thrive in, as they are companions to vegetables in that they attract beneficial insects.
We hope this helps.
Just picked up a young nasturtium plant from the store. It is late fall and I am in zone 8b. In a month or so, I expect to see some overnight chills down in the 30's. I would like to plant it in the garden, and cover as needed. Or, would it be best to leave in the small pot and bring in at night? Do you know exactly what temperature at which this plant will die? I plan to push the envelope.
would appreciate if anyone could kindly advise me on the best flower plants / shrubs to grow in Sarawak/Malaysia.
Planning to start a flower bed full of blossoms in our local Lake garden.
Was told can grow Carnation, Nasturtium, Chrysanthemum , Petunia, Marigolds,Zinnia, etc in equatorial climate
Your feedback would be appreciated
Thanks
Johnny
How can I get rid of nasturtiums? My garden is literally covered in them. They seem to grow so quickly and have taken over my flowerbeds and areas of grass. I'm thinking the previous owner let them selfseed constantly. At the moment I'm pulling them up, but they seem to grow so quickly. I live in Ireland.
I live in Connecticut. I started my plants from seed and they are doing well in boxes on my deck. Problem, under the leaves and on the stems there is a coating of very small black dot which look like eggs. They seem to be takes over the plants and are not attractive at all. What should I do?
Simply wash the black away with a strong spray from the hose.
When you see evidence of pests, you can also spray an insecticidal soap on the leaves, especially the underside. Spray early in the day so the spray doesn't burn the leaves. See our Aphids link above for more information.
I tried washing them it didn't work that well, what is this stuff?
Is it safe to spray Neem oil on Nasturtiums?
the problem with spraying them is that most sprays are toxic to bees and specially hummingbirds, so just using water repeatedly is best. They like full sun and dry, so if you are humid the bugs seem to come.
Please do not spray them
In mild climates, such as Zone 8b where you are, nasturtiums can be planted in early fall for fall/winter bloom, but they will die as soon as a frost hits. If you want it to last longer, leaving it in its pot and bringing it indoors when the temperature drops is the way to go.