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Nasturtium

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Botanical name: Tropaeolum majus

Plant type: Flower

Sun exposure: Full Sun

Flower color: Red, Orange, Yellow

Bloom time: Summer, Fall

Nasturtium is an easy-to-grow annual whose leaves and flowers are edible. These plants with their bright greenery and vibrant flowers are good for containers or ground covers. Their pretty fragrance also makes them a good choice for cut flowers. Nasturtiums are perfect to grow with children because they grow so easily and rapidly.

Planting

  • You can start the seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost.
  • Plant seeds in early spring in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. They can grow in partial shade, but they will not bloom as well.
  • Nasturtiums prefer poorer soils and they do not need fertilizers (unless your soil is extremely poor). Fertile soil will produce fewer blooms.
  • Plant the seeds about half an inch deep and 10 to 12 inches apart. Plants should appear in 7 to 10 days.

Care

  • Water regularly throughout the growing season, but be careful not to over-water your plants.
  • Cutting off the faded/dead flowers will prolong blooming.
  • If you're growing nasturtiums in containers, they may need to be trimmed back occasionally over the growing season.

Pests

Recommended Varieties

  • Salmon Baby, to add a pretty salmon-pink color to your garden.
  • Variegatus, which is a trailing type with red or orange flowers.
  • Peach Melba, which is derived from nasturtiums and has creamy yellow flowers with orange-red centers.

Comments

Hi, I got an Empress of India

By Shauna T on June 10

Hi, I got an Empress of India Nasturtium a few months ago and it was doing great but looked like it needed to be re-potted. I finally re-potted it recently and moved it to a more shaded spot cause it looked like the leaves were getting faded by the sun. Now I don't know if it was the move or the re-potting but the leaves have become very small and I don't see any signs of that changing. Its still flowering up a storm though! I live in West Virgina, zone 6b, its been raining like mad these past few weeks, although its been under porch cover, so I've been watering it when dry to make up for that. I loved the leaves on the plant as much as the flowers and would like to see them healthy again, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! =)

can i put seedlings with my

By tony michelin on May 24

can i put seedlings with my tomatoe plants

yes you can. they do not have

By GMAN on May 27

yes you can. they do not have a strong and evasive root system. however in order to get good tomatoes the soil must be well fertilize and full of vitamins. this may conflict with the nasturtium since it relies on poor soil conditions. if your growing tomatoes for ornamental reasons.... then its a good idea. but don't take my word for it. test it out. not all facts are 100% true 100% of the time.

How can i get the seeds from

By umran on May 24

How can i get the seeds from from my plant and how to keep it?

I always just picked the

By Tweetie444 on May 30

I always just picked the seeds up from the ground in the fall. After the frost hits, pull out the plant and you will see seeds that look like chick peas. Collect them, leaving them to dry in an open container over the winter. I always kept them inside the house. In the spring, plant them and enjoy the blooms again.

Nasturtum Honey Butter

By Anonymous

This recipe is AWESOME on any warm bread/rolls. Take bloomed flowers, remove stamens inside, gently rinse in cool water, air dry on paper towels. When dry, chop up and mix with softened butter and honey. OMG! My daughter begs me to plant nasturtium every year for this recipe! So yummy!

Thanks for sharing! Yes,

By Almanac Staff

Thanks for sharing! Yes, nasturtiums are edible flowers! The flowers and leaves are peppery flavored like watercress and are used in salads and as a garnish.

Is it too late to start growing nasturtiums?

By Anonymous

I live in Orlando, FL and am just starting my hand at growing and in the above article it mentioned planting 4-6 wks before the last spring frost. That point has passed, is it still fine to plant them or should I wait for a better time of year here in my area?

You can plant the seeds from

By Almanac Staff

You can plant the seeds from spring through fall throughout Florida, year-round in South Florida. Nasturtiums are easy to grow where you live!

growing

By Anonymous

my son came home with a seed in a pot a while ago, its just started flowering and i have identified it as a nasturtium, it is currently in the kitchen window and is growing rapidly, its getting rather tall, currently about 2 foot tall, does it need trimming to stop it gaining height or do you just leave them to grow? thanks

When plants of the tall type

By Almanac Staff

When plants of the tall type are about 7 inches tall, place a stake or trellis near them for support. It is not necessary to stake or trellis the dwarf type.

Indoors or Out?

By Anonymous

Hi, I just bought nasturtium, sweet pea and zinnia seeds. It is the end of April in the Columbus area. Should I sow the seeds into the soil directly right now, or should I start them inside? OR- should I wait and sow them into the garden in a few weeks. Thanks!

Nasturtiums in Raleigh

By Anonymous

Will nasturtiums handle full sun in the humid summers of Raleigh?

In your area, nasturtiums do

By Almanac Staff

In your area, nasturtiums do best blooming in spring/early summer. Sow mid-March or earlier in pots. Or, you could also sow in late summer for fall bloom.

fresh nasturtium seeds

By Anonymous

I have just picked some large green seeds. Can I plant them right away or do they have to dry.It is April first and I live in New Orleans.

You want to grab those seeds

By Almanac Staff

You want to grab those seeds when they are still green and let them dry on a baking sheet in a cool dark place for a week. Once they are hard, you can store them for next year.

how long to bloom

By Anonymous

I planted Nasturtiums from seed in hanging pots (about 4-6 inches deep with about 6 - 18" spacing), roughly 4-6 wks ago. I They get full sun from 12ish to 7pm in the Houston heat. I am doing best to provide terrible conditions, which they seem to love. I have 3 doing well with several arms coming off on each. I am anxious for them to bloom...is that more of a summer event even in Houston?

Nasturtiums in Houston

By Almanac Staff

In Houston, nasturtiums do best in the cooler months. You can plant them in the early fall, in which case they might bloom later in the fall before a frost stops them; the plants may even survive through the winter if it is an especially mild one.

You can also plant in early spring after the last expected spring frost date. They will bloom until the hot weather starts; peak bloom is usually about May into June.

They do not like high heat. When summer hits, move the containers to deep shade, and keep up with the watering. The plants may perk up again in fall to give you another floral display.

(Please note: We'd recommend sowing nasturtium seeds about 1/2 inch deep.)

Hope this helps!

My flower stop growing

By Anonymous

My nastartiums are in a pot and under a shade but gets full sun in the morning but they stop growing about 9inch and stay at the same tall without blooming or any change! What can I do? Thanks

Some thoughts: They grow in

By Almanac Staff

Some thoughts: They grow in shade but not quite as well as full sun; too much shade limits their blossoms. Also, make sure you are not using any fertilizer. They thrive on neglect--poor, lean soil and spare watering.

climber or dwarf?

By Anonymous

I've just purchased a couple 4" pots of Empress of India from Annie's Annuals. Her stuff is usually good, so I'm not gonna be afraid to transplant them with lots of soil, my question... is the Empress a climber or bush variety?
Thanks, barb

The Empress of India is a

By Almanac Staff

The Empress of India is a non-trailing annual and quite compact (only 1 foot high).

plant/seeds

By Anonymous

Can I purchase nasturtium plants. Seeds have not done well for me.

You'll have to check with

By Almanac Staff

You'll have to check with your local garden center, but nasturtiums do not fare well when transplanted; use peat pots and plant these directly in the soil. Nasturtiums are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. They prefer full sun. They are not choosy about their soil, though they prefer a light, sandy soil. Don't spoil them with rich, fertile soil and fertilizers as this will only result in lush foliage and few blooms.

dimpled nasturtium leaves

By Anonymous

hi, the leaves on my nasturtium have gone dimply. do you have any thoughts?
trudy

The bumps could be insect

By Almanac Staff

The bumps could be insect damage. Spray with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray.

thank you!

By Anonymous

thank you!

How much will it grow from a seedling?

By Anonymous

I planted my seedlings from seed packets and they r growing tall but I was wondering how much will grow from a seed and if I should seperate each stem/seed growing or if I keep them together will it be too crowded? Never grown them before

Following spacing on packet.

By Almanac Staff

Following spacing on packet. As the seedlings grow: If the plants are crowded then thin them out to about 12 inches apart.

about nasturtiums

By Anonymous

do nasturtiums come up every year ???

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