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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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I have planted 2 pots of nasturtium and they have both died. I looked after them and was careful not to water them too much. I planted them in compost and filled pot with compost also. Why have they died? The leaves are yellow and don't look healthy. Other plants in my pot also died. What did I do wrong?
Nasturtiums prefer poor, sandy soil. Overly rich soil deters flowering.
I bought this amazing pot of nasturtiums about 3 weeks ago. The gold was so bright that I saw it when driving by the nursery and had to go back and buy it. Gorgeous. But now, just a few short weeks later, the flowers are gone, the foliage is pale and leggy, and over the past 24 it has dropped a large number of seeds (which I will pick up and dry for next season). Is it done for the season - or can I do something to it to encourage it to bloom again? I have kept it well-watered as it may be a bit big for the pot it is in...
Any tips? It was gorgeous - I hate to think it's done already!
No if like mine it will die shortly, I'm not sure why I have a few plants dotted around so I'll be experimenting consciously as to planting out in different soil types possibly next year, however the plants I give aftercare to are fantastic a fellow gardener gave a packet and just beautiful mix of colours and they are now trailing. I want to know though when the growing season comes to an end (climate change poss. and weather wise, maybe frost) as I wish to harvest for my local canteen to enjoy.
Hi Susan,
Pinch back leggy growth to a healthy set of leaves and dead head (remove) faded flowers (before they set seeds) to prolong blooming. Nasturtiums don't need much water. Only water when the soil is very dry.
hello. i planted nas from seed this year both in containers and in planting beds. both are doing quite well, although im seeing that FULL SUN is a real benefit. my question is this: when do these go to seed? i have been clipping off the dead flowers. they are still producing plentiful flowers. should i keep the dead flowers on to go to seed???, or will this happen towards the fall (i live in south/central PA)
Hi, t: This will happen toward the fall, so you can keep clipping for the time being if you wish. Thanks for asking!
I have them in a big pot that cascades over the back of
a deck swing. It is very thick and the vines on the back have begun to drop large green seed onto the cushion of the swing.
If I collect these, will they dry out and germinate?
Yes, you can collect the seeds, place them on newspaper in a warm place with good air circulation for a few weeks to dry; any greenish seeds will turn brown. Discard any seeds that develop mold.
