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Nasturtium

By: Eric Vinje Published: 7 Dec, 12 Updated: 8 May, 18

Quick and easy-to-grow, edible nasturtiums spread eye-catching colors right where you need them.

Your garden and hanging baskets should get to know this quick and colorful annual that reseeds itself freely. Home gardeners are growing nasturtium (Tropaeolum) from seeds and cuttings for its vivid, showy flowers and attractive trailing vines. Great for cool-weather climates, its striking blossoms can also brighten up salads and pastas… they’re edible!

Fragrant plants with bright green foliage and orange, red and yellow flowers are perfect for ground covers, window boxes, walls or trellised containers. Nasturtiums are a good flower for children to work with because they grow so rapidly and their large seeds are easily handled by little fingers.

This hardy, carefree annual develops quickly and requires some room to roam — up to 10 feet, depending on variety.

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Nasturtium Seeds

Quick and easy-to-grow, nasturtiums’ vines spread rich colors where you need them.

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Eric Vinje

Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.

Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.

Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.

Quick Guide: Planting, Growing & Caring for Nasturtiums

Blooms in sun-loving hot colors like yellow, orange and deep red
Easily grown from seed when planted after last frost
Needs full sun to part shade; develops rapidly
Almost thrives on neglect — no fertilizer needed; water regularly
Blooms all season long

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Maturity: 55-70 days from seed to flower
Height: 12 to 18 inches
Spacing: 8 to 12 inches apart in all directions

Site Preparation

Nasturtiums prefer full sun and moist soil, but will tolerate some shade. In hot climates, plant in partial shade and work a shovelful or two of organic matter, such as compost or well-aged animal manure, into the ground. This helps condition the soil, which improves drainage and will keep roots cool (watch our video 6 Tips for Growing Great Flowers).

How to Plant

Sow outdoors one week after last frost, 1/4 inch beneath the surface of the soil. Nasturtium seeds germinate in 7-12 days and develop quickly. Plants do NOT require fertilizer during the gardening season. In fact, they seem to thrive on lean soil and neglect. Provide support for some of the taller climbing varieties and pinch off the spent blooms to extend the flowering season.

Insect & Disease Problems

Aphids, slugs, whiteflies and flea beetles are a few of the common garden pests found on nasturtiums. Watch closely and apply insecticidal soap mixed with pyrethrin or diatomaceous earth when necessary.

Foliage and flowers are also susceptible to several diseases such as bacterial leaf spot and aster yellows, which will disfigure leaves and flowers. To reduce plant fungal problems:

Avoid overhead watering whenever possible (use soaker hoses or drip irrigation)
Properly space plants to improve air circulation
Apply copper spray or sulfur dust to prevent further infection

Seed Saving Instructions

Nasturtiums will cross-pollinate. Gardeners should only grow one variety at a time to save pure seed or isolate varieties by 1/2 mile. Seeds are formed in pods beneath the blossoms containing around 2-3 large seeds.

Pods do have a tendency to burst, so placing an old sheet or newspaper around the plants may be necessary. Picking the seedpods slightly premature is also an option. Read our article Saving Heirloom Flower Seeds to learn more.