Nasturtiums are the kind of flowers that make gardening feel easy. Scatter a few of their large seeds into a sunny patch of ground, and before long you can have rounded green leaves and jewel-toned flowers spilling across beds, tumbling from containers, or climbing a support.
They are also unusual among ornamental garden favorites because common annual nasturtiums are edible. The flowers and leaves have a distinctive peppery flavor, and even the young seed pods can find their way into the kitchen.
Better still, nasturtiums don’t need rich soil or complicated feeding schedules. In fact, giving them too much fertilizer can result in an impressive mass of leaves with surprisingly few flowers. For gardeners who prefer beautiful plants that don’t demand constant attention, nasturtiums are hard to beat.
🌼 What Are Nasturtiums?
Garden nasturtiums belong to the genus Tropaeolum. The species most commonly grown as an annual is Tropaeolum majus, a South American plant with rounded, shield-like leaves and bright flowers.
Despite their common name, garden nasturtiums are not closely related to watercress, whose botanical name is Nasturtium officinale. The shared name comes from similarities in their peppery flavor.
Nasturtium flowers are typically yellow, orange, red, cream, or combinations of these colors. Some varieties have dark burgundy flowers, while others have variegated foliage splashed with cream.
Most gardeners encounter either compact, bushy varieties or trailing and climbing types. Choosing between them makes a big difference in how the plants can be used around the garden.
🌿 Bush vs. Trailing Nasturtiums
Bush nasturtiums form relatively compact mounds and are useful in flower beds, vegetable gardens, window boxes, and pots.
Their restrained habit makes them easy to tuck into gaps between other plants. They can also create a colorful border without spreading too aggressively across neighboring plants.
Trailing nasturtiums produce much longer stems. Left unsupported, they spill beautifully from hanging baskets, window boxes, raised beds, and retaining walls. They can also scramble across the ground as an informal ground cover.
Trailing varieties can be encouraged to climb a trellis, fence, obelisk, or other slender support. Nasturtiums don’t cling in quite the same way as vines with tendrils, so young stems may need a little guidance as they grow.
Check the seed packet before planting so you know whether you are dealing with a compact or trailing variety.
☀️ How Much Sun Do Nasturtiums Need?
Nasturtiums flower best with plenty of sunlight.
A location receiving around six or more hours of direct sun is a good choice in many climates. Plants growing in too much shade may develop lots of foliage while producing fewer flowers.
In regions with extremely hot summers, some protection from intense afternoon sun can be beneficial. Nasturtiums often look their best during the milder parts of the growing season and may become stressed during prolonged periods of extreme heat.
If a container-grown nasturtium stops flowering during very hot weather, moving it somewhere with morning sun and some afternoon protection may help.
🌱 The Best Soil for Nasturtiums
This is one flower that does not need luxurious garden soil.
Nasturtiums grow well in average to relatively poor soil as long as drainage is good. Highly fertile soil, especially soil containing lots of nitrogen, encourages lush leaf growth and can reduce flowering.
That makes nasturtiums particularly useful in parts of the garden where other flowers might need more soil improvement.
Avoid planting them in ground that remains waterlogged after rain. Although nasturtiums appreciate moisture while actively growing, their roots need access to air.
For containers, use a well-drained potting mix and make sure the pot has drainage holes.
🌱 How to Grow Nasturtiums from Seed
Nasturtiums are exceptionally easy to grow from seed.
Their seeds are large enough to handle individually, making them a good choice for beginner gardeners and children. They also grow quickly, so there is usually no need to start them months in advance.
You can sow nasturtiums directly outdoors once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has begun warming. Plant the seeds according to the depth and spacing recommended on the packet, then water them gently.
Keep the soil lightly moist while the seeds germinate and the seedlings become established.
Starting seeds indoors is also possible, particularly when you want an earlier start. Nasturtiums can dislike having their roots disturbed, so starting seeds in individual biodegradable pots or other containers that minimize root disturbance can make transplanting easier.
Before moving indoor-grown seedlings outside permanently, gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
🪴 How to Plant Nasturtiums
Young plants can be moved into garden beds and containers after frost danger has passed.
Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Handle the roots gently and plant at approximately the same depth the seedling was growing in its container.
Water thoroughly after planting and continue checking moisture while the plant establishes itself.
Spacing depends on the variety. Compact plants can grow much closer together than vigorous trailing cultivars, so use the mature dimensions on the seed packet or plant label as your guide.
Don’t worry if the planting area seems slightly sparse at first. Nasturtiums grow rapidly once temperatures warm.
💧 How Often Should You Water Nasturtiums?
New seedlings and recently transplanted nasturtiums need consistent moisture while their root systems develop.
Once established in the ground, the plants are relatively tolerant of occasional dry conditions. Water during prolonged periods of hot, dry weather rather than keeping the soil constantly saturated.
Container plants require closer attention. Pots, window boxes, and especially hanging baskets can dry rapidly during warm weather.
Check the soil with your finger and water thoroughly when it begins to dry. Allow excess water to drain rather than leaving containers sitting in water.
Plants experiencing severe drought may wilt, stop flowering, and develop a stronger flavor in their edible leaves and flowers.
🌺 How to Get More Nasturtium Flowers
If your nasturtium is producing a mountain of leaves but very few flowers, fertilizer may be the problem.
Unlike many heavy-flowering container plants, nasturtiums usually perform well without frequent feeding when planted in ordinary garden soil. Rich conditions can push the plant toward producing foliage instead of blooms.
Sunlight is another major factor. Plants in excessive shade tend to flower less freely.
Regularly removing faded flowers can help keep plants looking tidy and encourage continued bloom production. However, leave some flowers untouched if you want the plants to produce seeds for harvesting or saving.
During extreme summer heat, flowering may temporarily decline even when care is good. Plants often recover as conditions become milder.
✂️ Do Nasturtiums Need Pruning?
Nasturtiums do not require formal pruning, but occasional trimming can keep vigorous plants under control.
Trailing varieties sometimes wander farther than expected. Simply cut back stems that are growing across paths or overwhelming neighboring plants.
Pinching the growing tips of young plants can encourage branching and fuller growth.
Remove yellow, damaged, or badly pest-infested foliage when needed. This improves the plant’s appearance and makes it easier to watch for developing problems.
🪴 Growing Nasturtiums in Containers
Nasturtiums are excellent container flowers because they do not require rich soil and their growth habits can create dramatic displays.
Compact varieties work well in ordinary patio pots and window boxes. Trailing nasturtiums are especially attractive in hanging baskets or tall containers where their stems can cascade over the edges.
Choose a pot with good drainage and avoid using a container that stays waterlogged after every watering.
Place the pot somewhere sunny and check moisture frequently during warm weather. Container plants dry out much faster than those planted directly in garden soil.
If container-grown nasturtiums become extremely leafy with few flowers, don’t automatically reach for fertilizer. More feeding may make the problem worse.
🌿 Growing Nasturtiums as Climbers
Trailing nasturtiums can also be grown vertically.
Give them a trellis, fine wire, netting, or another structure that the stems and leaf stalks can move through. Young shoots may need to be loosely guided onto the support at first.
A climbing nasturtium can add a temporary splash of summer color to a fence, balcony, vegetable garden, or informal trellis.
Because the plants grow quickly from seed and are killed by frost in many climates, they are useful when you want seasonal coverage without planting a permanent vine.
🌽 Nasturtiums in the Vegetable Garden
Nasturtiums have long been popular additions to vegetable gardens. Their bright flowers add color among rows of vegetables, and their edible leaves and blooms fit naturally into a kitchen garden.
They may also attract aphids and caterpillars. This has led to the widespread idea that nasturtiums can act as trap crops, drawing pests away from vegetables.
There is plenty of anecdotal support for the practice, but it should not be treated as guaranteed pest control. Nasturtiums themselves can become heavily infested, and the results can vary from one garden to another.
Instead of expecting them to protect an entire vegetable garden, grow nasturtiums for their flowers, edible harvest, and ability to add plant diversity. Monitor both the nasturtiums and neighboring crops for pests just as you normally would.
🐝 Nasturtiums and Pollinators
Nasturtium flowers can attract bees and other flower-visiting insects.
Their long flowering season means healthy plants may continue producing blooms from summer into autumn, providing color while many other garden flowers are also at their peak.
They can be mixed with other easy summer annuals such as marigolds and zinnias to create an informal flower garden with a variety of colors and flower shapes.
For another easy warm-season flower, see How to Grow Marigolds: Planting, Care & Tips for More Blooms.
🍽️ Are Nasturtiums Edible?
Many commonly grown annual nasturtiums, including Tropaeolum majus, are edible.
The flowers, leaves, young flower buds, and immature seed pods can all be used in the kitchen. Their flavor is peppery and slightly spicy, often compared with watercress or radishes.
Younger leaves generally have a milder texture and flavor than older foliage. Fresh flowers provide both color and a peppery bite.
Correct identification is essential whenever you eat anything grown primarily as an ornamental plant. Only harvest plants you know are an edible species, and never eat flowers that may have been treated with pesticides or other products not intended for edible crops.
Plants purchased from florists or garden centers should not automatically be assumed safe to eat unless you know how they were grown and treated.
🌸 How to Eat Nasturtium Flowers
Fresh nasturtium flowers are one of the easiest edible flowers to use.
Their vivid colors can make a simple green salad look dramatically different. Whole flowers can be scattered across a serving platter, while individual petals can add smaller touches of color.
They also work as garnishes for soups, savory tarts, vegetable dishes, and open-faced sandwiches.
The flowers can be chopped and mixed into softened butter or cream cheese for a peppery spread. They can also be paired with milder herbs in sauces and dips.
Harvest flowers shortly before you plan to use them, rinse gently if necessary, and inspect them carefully for insects.
🥗 How to Use Nasturtium Leaves
The leaves are edible too and have a peppery flavor that works especially well in savory dishes.
Small young leaves can be tossed whole into mixed salads. Larger leaves can be sliced into ribbons and combined with lettuce, herbs, or other greens.
Their peppery character also makes them useful in sandwiches and wraps.
Nasturtium leaves can be blended into pesto-style sauces with nuts or seeds, cheese, oil, and other herbs. Their flavor can be fairly assertive, so combining them with milder greens or herbs allows you to adjust the intensity.
As with the flowers, use clean, correctly identified plants that have not been treated with unsuitable garden chemicals.
🫙 What About Nasturtium Seeds?
Young green nasturtium seed pods are sometimes pickled and used as a caper-like condiment.
The immature seeds are harvested while they are still green and tender rather than after they have matured and dried.
Mature seeds are better suited to saving for the following year’s garden.
If you want both flowers and seeds, stop deadheading a few blossoms later in the season and allow seed pods to develop naturally.
🌱 How to Save Nasturtium Seeds
Saving nasturtium seed is simple because the seeds are large and easy to recognize.
Allow some flowers to fade without removing them. Seed pods will form afterward and gradually mature.
Collect mature seeds and allow them to dry thoroughly before storage. Keep them in a labeled paper envelope or another breathable container somewhere cool and dry until planting season returns.
Nasturtiums may also self-seed when mature seeds fall to the ground. Whether the resulting seedlings survive depends on winter conditions and the local climate.
Plants grown from saved hybrid seed may not look exactly like the parent, so don’t be surprised if the following year’s flowers show some variation.
🐛 Common Nasturtium Pests
Aphids are among the most noticeable pests on nasturtiums. Colonies can collect on tender stems, leaves, and buds, sometimes covering new growth.
Caterpillars may also feed on the leaves, leaving obvious holes or heavily chewed foliage.
Whiteflies and mealybugs can occasionally appear as well.
Healthy nasturtiums can tolerate some insect feeding, so a few damaged leaves do not necessarily require action. Regularly inspect plants, particularly the undersides of leaves, so you can notice developing infestations early.
If you intend to eat the plant, be particularly thoughtful about any pest-control product you use. Make sure it is specifically labeled for use on edible plants and follow all label directions, including any harvest interval.
🍃 Why Are My Nasturtium Leaves Turning Yellow?
An occasional yellow leaf on an established plant is normal, particularly among older foliage near the base.
Widespread yellowing can have several causes. Soil that remains consistently saturated may stress the roots, while prolonged drought can also cause leaves to decline.
Overcrowded growth can shade older foliage, causing some leaves beneath the canopy to yellow naturally.
Very rich soil may produce an enormous amount of soft foliage that becomes crowded and untidy, although the more obvious sign of excessive fertility is often poor flowering.
Check moisture, drainage, sunlight, and overall plant condition before assuming the plant needs fertilizer.
🌼 Why Isn’t My Nasturtium Flowering?
Too much fertilizer is one of the classic causes of poor flowering in nasturtiums.
Plants growing in rich soil may look spectacularly healthy but devote most of their energy to leaves. Stop unnecessary feeding and give the plant time to adjust.
Insufficient sunlight can produce similar results. If possible, move container plants to a brighter location.
Very hot weather can also temporarily reduce flowering. This is particularly noticeable in regions with intense summer heat.
Finally, remember that young plants need time to establish before they reach peak flowering. A newly germinated nasturtium may simply need a little patience.
❄️ Do Nasturtiums Come Back Every Year?
The familiar garden nasturtiums grown from seed are generally treated as annuals in climates with freezing winters.
They grow rapidly, bloom, produce seed, and are eventually killed by frost.
In mild climates they may persist longer or self-seed, giving the impression that the same plants are returning.
The genus also contains true perennial species, but their care can be quite different from the familiar annual nasturtiums sold in seed packets.
For the typical garden nasturtium, the simplest approach is usually to collect seed or buy a fresh packet and sow another crop the following spring.
🌺 An Easy Flower You Can Bring to the Table
Nasturtiums offer a combination few garden plants can match. They are colorful enough for an ornamental flower bed, relaxed enough for a cottage garden, useful in containers and hanging baskets, and edible enough to earn a place beside vegetables and herbs.
They don’t need rich soil or constant fertilizer. Give them sun, decent drainage, enough water to prevent severe stress, and room to ramble, and they will usually take care of much of the rest themselves.
Then, when the flowers begin opening, you get an extra reward. Pick a few blossoms and young leaves and bring the garden directly to the table—bright, peppery, and unmistakably fresh.
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