Also receive the 蜜桃恋人 Daily newsletter including gardening tips, weather, astronomical events, and more.
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
ADVERTISEMENT
I have some brown dehydrated spots on quite a few leaves-not sunburn-no visible pests including aphids, watering seems just fine, not a lot of flowers for 3 creeping plants & only 12" tall. They are located on a hot southern exposure balcony (SW British Columbia).
I've removed the worst leaves a few each day...1-3 blooms at a time. I moved them for slightly less sun as I though maybe +28C weather is causing brown spots...is it burning??
Can you direct me on this...I can't figure it out. Thanks!!
It may be bacterial leaf spot disease. Try to improve air circulation and avoid getting water on the leaves. It is a good idea to pick and destroy the infected leaves just like you are doing.
If I plant nasturtium seeds in general purpose compost but then don't feed, will it encourage leafy growth to begin with but then flowers as the nutrients run out?
From looking at other posts, decided to go with a mix in my pots. 40% compost, 40% sand, 20% gravel. Hope that suits!
Who is the main writer/maker of this article. I would like to know because I need the information for my information on my work sited page. Thank you and I hope to get an answer soon!
If you're credited this article as a reference, you'll want to add the link to this Web page; the author is The Old Farmer's 蜜桃恋人.
My two Nasturtiums are growing, yet very slow. I have them in full sun in a pot. They have been growing in it for over a month & a half now with no blossoms or explosive growth. I was comtemplating fertilizing them with some seaweed fertilizer only to see if that will not initiate them to increase in size & put out their beatiful red, yellow, & orange flowers. What do you recommend that I do?
I am having the same problem, all that has happened is that they grown leaves. No blooms and I have 5 days to see a few so I hope this information is valid.
Hi, Kevin, Hold off on the fertilizer. Nasturiums really don't want much attention. They prefer a light, sandy soil鈥"poor" soil by some estimates. If you give them rich, fertile soil and fertilizers, you'll get lush leaves at the expense of blooms. Use "good" soil for something that will appreciate it.
Are you watering correctly? Water them deeply until overflowering and then let them get bone dry, and then water deeply again. Usually, watering is once a week.
One of these days (it's still early season in most places), the plants will surprise you with flowers.
Hello,
I have many lush leaves, of the ones that actually took hold, but no flowers. I have read your instructions. I planted in "good soil," which I see was my first problem! I am wondering what brand of "poor" soil you can recommend. I haven't gardened in many years, so I feel as if I am a beginner. Thank you for all your helpful suggestions.
