Caption
Bright orange nasturtium flowers with distinctive round leaves. Credit: Pixabay
Planting
When to Plant Nasturtiums
While nasturtium seeds can be sown outdoors anytime after the last spring frost has passed, I usually wait a week or two. The warmer soil helps speed germination, and seeds sprout best when soil temperatures reach 55° to 65°F.
In many areas, you can continue planting nasturtiums throughout the season for a long display of blooms.
You can also start seeds indoors 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost date, but nasturtiums have fragile root systems and don’t transplant well. I usually recommend direct sowing whenever possible.
Where to Plant
Nasturtiums grow well in containers, raised beds, or in-ground gardens, as long as they receive plenty of sun and well-draining soil. Choose a location with well-draining soil and at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best flowering.
They’re also commonly planted alongside vegetables, including brassicas, cucumbers, melons, and squashes, where they serve as companion plants. Their bright flowers also attract pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Poor soil is actually preferable. Nasturtiums are light feeders, and rich soil often produces lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
How to Plant Nasturtiums
- Prepare the planting area by removing weeds and loosening the soil. If desired, mix a small amount of compost into the top few inches of soil. For containers, use a quality potting mix with good drainage.
- Sow the seeds. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and space them 10 to 12 inches apart. Because nasturtium seeds have a hard outer coating, soaking them in water for 8 to 24 hours before planting can speed germination.
- Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil lightly moist until seedlings emerge.
- Transplant if needed. If you start seeds indoors, harden them off and transplant outside once the risk of frost has past. Just bury the seedlings at the same depth at which they were growing in their nursery pots.
- Add support. If growing trailing or climbing varieties. Install trellises early, so roots aren’t disturbed later.
Pests and Problems
While nasturtiums are relatively tough plants that can handle a range of conditions, they’re not completely immune to problems. Most issues are related to light, heat, or pests rather than serious disease.
Common Problems
- Reduced flowering. If nasturtiums aren’t blooming well, they’re often getting too little sun or too much nitrogen. These plants prefer full light and lean soil. Rich soil produces lots of leaves but fewer flowers.
- Wilting in heat. During hot weather, nasturtiums may droop, especially if the soil dries out. In my experience, they usually bounce back quickly after deep watering or when temperatures cool slightly.
- Leggy or weak growth. Low light can cause stretched, spindly stems. Move plants to a sunnier spot if possible.
- Pest buildup. Because nasturtiums are often used in companion planting near broccoli, cabbages, radishes, and other brassicas, they can attract aphids. I rarely intervene unless infestations become heavy—a strong spray of water is usually enough.
Common Pests
Nasturtiums are often used as trap crops in companion planting, especially near broccoli, cabbages, and other brassicas. Because of this, they commonly attract aphids, and occasionally caterpillars, flea beetles, slugs, snails, or whiteflies.
In most home gardens, pest damage is minor and largely cosmetic. Aphids can be rinsed off with a strong spray of water, and larger insects can be hand-picked.
I usually leave my nasturtiums alone. I find pest issues to be relatively insignificant, and I don’t want to deter pollinators from visiting my plants.
Plant Diseases
Nasturtiums may occasionally develop mosaic viruses, leaf spot, or blight, though serious disease is uncommon in home gardens.
To reduce risk:
- Start with fresh seed from reliable suppliers.
- Avoid reusing old potting mix.
- Rotate planting areas each season.
- Remove plant debris in fall.
Good airflow and well-draining soil go a long way toward preventing problems.
Types
Whether you grow trailing or climbing varieties (Tropaeolum majus) or compact bush types (T. minus), nasturtiums adapt easily to different spaces. I love growing mounding types in pots where their tidy shape shines, while trailing varieties sprawl as cheerful ground covers near melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and borage.
Flowers range from soft yellows and peach colors to deep reds and oranges. Leaf color can vary too, with some varieties offering attractive variegation.
- ‘Alaska Mix’ features variegated foliage and mixed flower colors, making it a standout in containers.
- ‘Variegatus’ is a trailing type with red or orange blooms, well suited for spilling over edges or climbing supports.
- ‘Peach Melba’ offers creamy yellow flowers with bright orange-red centers for a softer color palette.
Comments
Nasturtiums are said to be less likely to be eaten by snails and slugs in general. However, it appears that the brown garden snail, found in parts of California and a few other states, does attack it.
Seedlings can be planted now. You can train nasturtium to climb up a lattice or have them cascade over a hanging basket. If you wish to create more flowers, pinch the runners from time to time.
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—an 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—soil that vegetables thrive in, as they are companions to vegetables in that they attract beneficial insects.
We hope this helps.
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.
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It is normal for nasturtiums to go about a month before the flowers bloom, as well as for the leaves to be large. The flowers should be able to poke their way out from behind the leaves, especially if your plant is getting full sun. Nasturtiums tend to do well without much help, so we would recommend patience. If you want to encourage growth around the buds, you can prune lightly. Remember that nasturtium leaves are edible, so you can add what you take off to a salad! Good luck!