Nasturtium Care: How to Grow Nasturtiums From Seed to Bloom

Nasturtium in glory by a cedar fence in a raised garden, beautiful!!! | SANLYN

Nasturtiums are among the easiest flowers to grow from seed, yet their combination of bright blooms, rounded leaves, trailing growth, and edible flowers makes them useful far beyond a simple beginner’s garden. A handful of seeds can become a sprawling ground cover, a cascade of flowers tumbling from a container, a compact border plant, or a vine scrambling over a small support.

The common garden nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus, produces distinctive round leaves and funnel-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, orange, cream, peach, red, burgundy, and combinations of those colors. Some varieties remain compact and bushy, while others develop long trailing stems capable of spreading several feet.

Nasturtiums also break one of the rules gardeners commonly learn about flowering plants: richer soil is not necessarily better. When grown in heavily fertilized soil, nasturtiums often produce enormous leaves and relatively few flowers. They generally bloom best in poor to average soil with good drainage and plenty of sunlight.

They are warm-season plants but not lovers of extreme heat. In cooler climates they can flower from early summer until frost. Where summers are intensely hot, flowering may slow and plants often appreciate some protection from harsh afternoon sun.

Once established, nasturtium care is simple. Avoid excessive fertilizer, water according to actual soil conditions, give the plants enough light, remove faded flowers when you want continued blooming, and keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars.

🌸 Nasturtium Care Fast Facts

Care Requirement	General Guideline
Botanical name	Tropaeolum majus and related Tropaeolum species/hybrids
Common name	Nasturtium, garden nasturtium
Plant type	Tender perennial usually grown as an annual
Growth habit	Bushy, trailing, scrambling, or climbing
Light	Full sun; afternoon shade can help in very hot climates
Soil	Poor to average, well-drained soil
Water	Moderate; containers require more frequent watering
Fertilizer	Usually unnecessary in garden beds
Bloom season	Summer through fall in many climates
Flower colors	Yellow, cream, orange, peach, red, burgundy, bicolors
Propagation	Primarily seed
Frost tolerance	Frost tender
Deadheading	Encourages continued flowering
Best uses	Beds, borders, containers, hanging baskets, ground cover, trellises
Common pests	Aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, mites
Edible parts	Flowers and leaves are commonly used; young buds and seed pods are also used in some culinary preparations

🌿 What Is a Nasturtium?

Garden nasturtiums belong to the genus Tropaeolum, which is native to Central and South America. Although gardeners usually grow them as annual flowers, the genus includes both annual and perennial species.

The familiar garden nasturtium is Tropaeolum majus. It has smooth, rounded leaves attached near the center of the leaf blade, giving the foliage an almost miniature lily-pad appearance. The flowers typically have five petals and a noticeable spur projecting from the back.

One source of confusion is the name “nasturtium.” True watercress belongs to the botanical genus Nasturtium, while the colorful garden flower called nasturtium belongs to Tropaeolum. They are different plants.

For most home gardeners, however, “nasturtium” simply means the colorful annual Tropaeolum grown in flower beds and containers.

🌱 Bush Nasturtiums vs. Trailing Nasturtiums

Choosing the right growth habit is important because two nasturtium varieties can behave very differently despite looking nearly identical as seedlings.

Bush or compact nasturtiums form relatively tidy mounds. They are excellent for edging paths, filling gaps in flower beds, growing in window boxes, and adding color to patio containers. Many remain around a foot tall, although mature size varies by cultivar.

Trailing nasturtiums produce much longer stems. They can scramble over the ground, spill from hanging baskets, cascade over retaining walls, or be guided upward along wire, string, or another narrow support.

Trailing plants do not cling to walls in the way ivy does. Their leaf stalks and stems can wind around suitable supports, but they may need some initial guidance or tying.

Check the seed packet before planting. A compact variety placed beneath a tall trellis will never create the climbing display you expected, while a vigorous trailing nasturtium can quickly overwhelm a small border intended for a tidy mound.

☀️ How Much Sun Do Nasturtiums Need?

Nasturtiums generally flower best in full sun.

A location receiving six or more hours of direct sunlight is ideal in many climates. Strong light helps keep the plants compact and encourages abundant flower production.

Plants can tolerate partial shade, but there is usually a tradeoff. With increasing shade, nasturtiums may produce larger leaves, longer stems, and fewer flowers.

This does not mean maximum sun is appropriate everywhere.

In climates with extremely hot summers, afternoon shade can protect plants from severe heat stress. Morning sun followed by light afternoon protection may produce a longer-lasting display than exposure to reflected heat and intense sun throughout the entire day.

🔥 Nasturtiums and Summer Heat

Nasturtiums enjoy warm growing conditions, but prolonged extreme heat can reduce flowering.

During very hot weather, you may notice the plants:

developing fewer flowers, wilting during the afternoon, producing tired-looking foliage, or generally slowing their growth.

Container plants are particularly vulnerable because their roots can become much hotter than roots growing in garden soil.

If your summers are intense, place containers where they receive morning sun and some afternoon protection. Continue watering according to soil moisture, but do not turn heat-stressed plants into waterlogged plants by automatically watering every time a leaf wilts in the afternoon.

If roots are adequately moist, temporary heat wilt may resolve as temperatures fall later in the day.

🌱 Best Soil for Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are famous for performing well in relatively poor soil.

That does not mean they need terrible growing conditions. The soil should still drain properly and support healthy roots.

The important point is that nasturtiums do not need heavily enriched soil to flower well.

In fact, rich soil—especially soil receiving large amounts of nitrogen—often produces spectacular foliage at the expense of flowers.

This makes nasturtiums useful in parts of the garden where demanding flowering plants might need more amendment and feeding.

Average garden soil with good drainage is usually sufficient.

🌿 Why Too Much Fertilizer Means Fewer Flowers

Nitrogen promotes vegetative growth.

Give nasturtiums an abundance of nitrogen and the plants often respond exactly as you would expect: they grow enormous green leaves and long succulent stems.

Unfortunately, the flower display may suffer.

This is why a nasturtium growing beside a heavily fertilized vegetable crop or lawn can sometimes look exceptionally healthy while producing surprisingly few flowers.

Before fertilizing a leafy nasturtium that refuses to bloom, check its light and soil fertility.

More fertilizer may make the problem worse rather than better.

🧪 Do Nasturtiums Need Special Soil pH?

Nasturtiums tolerate a fairly broad range of normal garden soil conditions.

For most home gardens, drainage and fertility are much more important than chasing a narrowly defined pH number.

If other common annual flowers grow successfully in your soil, nasturtiums are unlikely to require major pH adjustment.

If you suspect a genuine soil problem, test the soil before adding lime, sulfur, or other amendments.

🌱 How to Grow Nasturtiums From Seed

Growing nasturtiums from seed is straightforward because the seeds are large enough to handle individually.

They can be started indoors, but direct sowing is often the easiest method.

Wait until severe frost danger has passed and the soil has begun warming. Prepare a weed-free planting area and sow the seeds according to the depth recommended on the seed packet, commonly around 1/2 to 1 inch deep.

Keep the soil moderately moist while the seeds germinate.

Once seedlings are established, thin them to the appropriate spacing for the cultivar.

Unlike plants with dust-like seeds, nasturtiums are easy to position exactly where you want them.

🌱 Direct Sowing Is Usually the Simplest Method

Nasturtiums grow quickly enough that direct sowing works very well in many climates.

Direct sowing also avoids disturbing the young roots.

Nasturtiums can be sensitive to transplanting, particularly when seedlings have become large or root-bound.

Simply plant the seeds in the bed or container where the plants will grow and allow them to establish naturally.

This is particularly practical for trailing varieties that will eventually cover a substantial amount of space.

🏠 Starting Nasturtiums Indoors

Gardeners with short growing seasons can start nasturtiums indoors several weeks before the anticipated outdoor planting period.

Because the roots dislike unnecessary disturbance, individual biodegradable pots or other containers that minimize root disruption can be helpful.

Provide strong light after seedlings emerge.

Do not start seeds excessively early.

Nasturtiums grow quickly, and oversized seedlings tangled around one another indoors are much harder to transplant successfully than younger, compact plants.

Move plants outdoors only after frost danger has passed and after gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions.

🌱 Do Nasturtium Seeds Need to Be Soaked?

Nasturtium seeds have relatively substantial seed coats, and gardeners sometimes soak or nick them before planting.

This is not usually essential.

Fresh seed planted in appropriately warm, moist soil normally germinates without elaborate preparation.

If you do soak seeds, avoid leaving them submerged for an extended period that encourages deterioration.

For most gardeners, simply planting good-quality seed in moist soil is the easiest approach.

🌡️ When Should Nasturtiums Be Planted Outside?

Nasturtiums are frost tender.

Unlike snapdragons and pansies, which tolerate cooler conditions, nasturtiums should generally be planted after significant frost danger has passed.

Cold soil also slows germination.

Waiting until spring conditions have become reliably mild gives seeds a much better start.

Gardeners in warm climates may grow nasturtiums during the cooler portion of the year if intense summer heat makes midsummer performance poor.

Regional timing matters more than the calendar.

📏 How Far Apart Should Nasturtiums Be?

Spacing depends on growth habit.

Compact bush varieties can be planted closer together than long trailing cultivars.

Follow the mature spread listed on the seed packet whenever possible.

Avoid overcrowding simply because seedlings initially appear small.

Better spacing improves airflow and reduces competition for water. It can also make dense plants less hospitable to mildew and other foliage problems.

Trailing plants can cover a surprising amount of ground once warm weather arrives.

💧 How Often Should Nasturtiums Be Watered?

New seedlings need reasonably consistent moisture while establishing.

Once established in garden soil, nasturtiums are relatively tolerant of brief dry periods and generally require watering mainly during prolonged hot or dry weather.

Containers are different.

Pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets can dry rapidly, especially once vigorous trailing plants fill the container.

Check the soil rather than relying on a fixed schedule.

Water thoroughly when needed and allow excess water to drain away.

🌧️ Don’t Keep Nasturtiums Constantly Wet

Nasturtiums tolerate some neglect better than they tolerate constantly saturated roots.

Waterlogged conditions reduce oxygen around the roots and increase the likelihood of decline.

A plant growing in wet soil can wilt because unhealthy roots are unable to absorb water properly.

If leaves droop while the soil remains soggy, do not automatically add more water.

Check drainage first.

🪴 Growing Nasturtiums in Containers

Nasturtiums are excellent container plants because their foliage and flowers quickly soften the hard edges of pots.

Compact varieties work beautifully in patio planters and window boxes.

Trailing varieties can spill down the sides of large containers or hanging baskets.

Use a quality container mix and make sure the pot has drainage holes.

Unlike garden beds, containers have a limited supply of nutrients. A modest amount of slow-release fertilizer incorporated into the mix can be useful, but avoid heavy feeding.

The goal is to maintain healthy growth without turning the entire container into a mass of leaves.

🌺 Nasturtiums in Hanging Baskets

Trailing nasturtiums make impressive hanging baskets.

As stems lengthen, the rounded leaves form a cascade punctuated with brightly colored flowers.

Place baskets in strong light but consider afternoon protection in extremely hot climates.

Check moisture frequently because hanging baskets are exposed to moving air on nearly every side and can dry far faster than garden soil.

A mature basket may require substantially more water than it did when first planted.

🌿 Nasturtiums as Ground Cover

Trailing varieties can function as fast-growing seasonal ground covers.

They are especially useful for covering bare soil while other plants become established.

Allow stems to spread naturally between neighboring plants or across the front of a bed.

Because nasturtiums are annuals in most climates, they do not form a permanent ground cover.

After frost kills them, the area will become open again unless seedlings emerge from dropped seed the following season.

🧗 Can Nasturtiums Climb?

Trailing nasturtiums can be encouraged upward.

They do not attach themselves to walls with adhesive roots or tendrils, but their long leaf stalks and scrambling stems can wrap around narrow supports.

Wire mesh, string, thin stakes, and narrow garden structures work better than broad smooth surfaces.

Young stems may need to be gently directed toward the support.

Once the plant becomes established, it can create a surprisingly large vertical display.

🌸 How to Get More Nasturtium Flowers

If your nasturtiums are producing foliage but few blooms, begin with three questions.

Are they getting enough sunlight?

Is the soil overly fertile?

Have they been heavily fertilized?

Those issues are much more common than a lack of plant food.

Move container plants into brighter light if possible and stop unnecessary fertilizer applications.

Removing faded flowers can also encourage the plant to continue producing new blooms instead of directing increasing energy toward mature seed development.

✂️ Do Nasturtiums Need Deadheading?

Deadheading is useful but not mandatory.

If your goal is continuous flowers, remove faded blooms before they form mature seed.

This encourages the plant to continue its reproductive effort by producing additional flowers.

If your goal is to save seed or encourage self-sowing, leave some late-season flowers in place and allow their seeds to mature.

You can easily combine both approaches: deadhead during the main flowering season and then allow selected flowers to produce seed toward the end of summer.

✂️ Do Nasturtiums Need Pruning?

Nasturtiums require very little formal pruning.

Trailing plants occasionally become too vigorous for the available space. Long stems can be shortened to bring the plant back under control.

Removing damaged, yellow, or heavily pest-infested growth also improves appearance.

Pinching young shoots can encourage branching, but it is rarely essential.

Most plants branch readily on their own when given adequate light and growing space.

🌸 How Long Do Nasturtiums Bloom?

In suitable climates, nasturtiums can flower from early summer until frost.

The exact period depends on planting time, temperature, sunlight, cultivar, and whether the plant is allowed to become heavily loaded with developing seed.

Regular deadheading can extend blooming.

Extreme heat may temporarily reduce flower production, while the arrival of cooler late-summer or autumn weather may improve it again.

🍂 What Happens to Nasturtiums After Frost?

Garden nasturtiums are very sensitive to frost.

Cold weather eventually causes the soft foliage and stems to collapse.

At that point, remove dead plant material from the garden.

If the plants were healthy, the remains can generally be composted according to your usual garden practices.

If they suffered from a serious disease problem, dispose of affected debris rather than leaving it around the planting area.

🌱 Do Nasturtiums Come Back Every Year?

They may appear to.

In climates with freezing winters, the original Tropaeolum majus plant generally does not survive.

However, nasturtiums readily produce seeds.

Those seeds can fall to the ground and germinate later, creating volunteer plants that make it seem as though the old nasturtium returned.

Seedlings may not look exactly like the parent plant, particularly when several cultivars were grown nearby or when hybrids are involved.

🌰 How to Save Nasturtium Seeds

Nasturtium seeds are large and easy to collect.

After flowers fade, developing seeds appear in clusters. Allow selected seeds to mature until they become firm and begin changing from green toward their mature dry color.

Seeds often fall from the plant when ready.

Collect them regularly and allow them to finish drying in a well-ventilated place before storage.

Once completely dry, store them in a labeled paper envelope or other appropriate seed container in a cool, dry location.

Do not store damp seeds in a sealed container, where mold can develop.

🌿 Popular Nasturtium Growth Habits

Some nasturtium cultivars are selected for compact bedding growth, while others are grown for vigorous trailing stems.

Compact types are particularly useful where neat growth matters.

Trailing varieties are better choices for hanging baskets, slopes, walls, ground cover, and supports.

Variegated selections add another dimension to the planting. Their leaves may contain splashes or mottling of cream or pale yellow, making the foliage attractive even between periods of heavy flowering.

Choose based on where the plant needs to grow rather than simply selecting a flower color.

🌈 Nasturtium Flower Colors

Traditional nasturtiums are strongly associated with yellow and orange, but modern selections offer a much wider palette.

Depending on cultivar, flowers may appear in cream, pale yellow, gold, peach, apricot, orange, scarlet, deep red, burgundy, or blends of several shades.

Some have dark foliage that dramatically intensifies the flower color.

Others have variegated leaves that become an important part of the display.

Single-flowered varieties generally offer easier access for visiting insects than heavily doubled flowers.

🐝 Nasturtiums and Pollinators

Nasturtium flowers can attract bees and other flower-visiting animals.

Single flowers provide accessible floral resources and can be useful additions to a diverse garden.

However, no single ornamental plant creates a complete pollinator habitat.

A strong wildlife garden should contain many kinds of flowers blooming at different times, along with suitable host plants, shelter, water where appropriate, and reduced unnecessary pesticide use.

Think of nasturtiums as one component of that larger planting.

🥗 Are Nasturtium Flowers Edible?

The flowers of correctly identified garden nasturtiums are commonly used as edible flowers.

They have a distinctive peppery flavor and can add both color and flavor to salads and other dishes.

Leaves are also used and generally have a stronger peppery character.

Young buds and immature seed pods have culinary uses as well.

For home use, harvest only from plants you have positively identified and know have not been treated with pesticides or other products that are not labeled for edible crops.

Do not assume flowers purchased from a florist, garden center, or ornamental display are suitable for eating.

🌿 How Do Nasturtium Leaves Taste?

Nasturtium leaves have a peppery flavor that is often compared with watercress.

Young leaves tend to be milder and more tender.

Older leaves can become stronger in flavor.

Flowers are often milder than the foliage, although flavor varies by cultivar and growing conditions.

The plant’s culinary value is an interesting bonus, but it does not need exaggerated medicinal claims to make it worthwhile in the garden.

🚫 Don’t Treat Nasturtiums as Medicine

Nasturtiums contain biologically active compounds and have a history of traditional use, but a garden-care article should not turn those facts into promises that the plant treats infections, heals wounds, prevents cancer, or substitutes for medical care.

Grow nasturtiums because they are attractive, easy flowers with legitimate culinary uses.

Medical conditions should be treated based on appropriate clinical guidance rather than home-garden claims.

🥒 Can Nasturtium Seeds Be Used Like Capers?

Immature nasturtium seed pods are sometimes pickled and used as a caper-like condiment.

This is a culinary preparation rather than a botanical relationship—the plant is not actually a caper.

Use young, correctly identified, untreated seed pods and follow a reliable food-preservation recipe if storing them.

Mature seed intended for next year’s garden should instead be allowed to dry thoroughly.

🐛 Aphids on Nasturtiums

Aphids are among the most common pests on nasturtiums.

Black aphids can gather in dense clusters on tender stems, leaf undersides, and flower buds.

Small populations are often more alarming visually than they are dangerous to the plant.

Natural predators such as lady beetles, hoverfly larvae, lacewings, and parasitoid wasps may reduce aphid numbers without intervention.

For manageable infestations, a strong stream of water can dislodge many aphids.

Heavily infested shoot tips can also be removed.

🌱 Are Nasturtiums Really a Trap Crop?

Nasturtiums are frequently recommended as “trap crops” that supposedly draw aphids or caterpillars away from vegetables.

The reality is more complicated.

Nasturtiums certainly can attract aphids and caterpillars, but that does not guarantee nearby vegetables will remain pest-free. The effectiveness of trap cropping depends on the pest, crop, timing, planting arrangement, and management strategy.

Even the RHS notes that the common claim that nasturtiums draw pests away from nearby crops rests partly on gardener experience and has limited scientific support as a universal rule.

So it is reasonable to grow nasturtiums near vegetables, but do not treat them as a guaranteed pest-control system.

🐛 Caterpillars on Nasturtiums

Nasturtium foliage can be eaten by caterpillars, including the larvae of cabbage white butterflies in areas where those insects occur.

Inspect leaf undersides for eggs and young caterpillars if holes begin appearing rapidly.

A small amount of chewing rarely threatens a vigorous plant.

Heavy infestations can strip substantial foliage and reduce flowering.

Hand removal is often sufficient in a small garden.

🕷️ Spider Mites

Spider mites become more troublesome during hot, dry conditions.

Affected foliage may develop pale stippling, bronzing, or a generally faded appearance.

Severe infestations can produce fine webbing.

Because nasturtiums already become stressed during extreme heat, mite problems may accelerate midsummer decline.

Inspect leaf undersides closely if plants suddenly lose vigor during hot dry weather.

🪰 Whiteflies and Other Sap-Feeding Pests

Whiteflies and mealybugs can occasionally infest nasturtiums, especially plants grown in protected environments.

Whiteflies often fly from the foliage when an infested plant is disturbed.

Mealybugs appear as white cottony clusters around stems and leaf joints.

Before applying any treatment, identify the pest correctly and consider whether intervention is necessary.

This is particularly important when you intend to eat flowers or leaves from the plant.

🍃 Powdery Mildew

Nasturtium foliage can develop powdery mildew, especially where plants are crowded and airflow is poor.

The disease appears as white or grayish powder-like growth on leaves.

Crowded, shaded conditions with poor ventilation favor many powdery mildew problems.

Give plants enough space, avoid excessive nitrogen that creates dense soft growth, and remove badly affected foliage if necessary.

Powdery mildew does not require constantly wet leaves to infect plants, so simply avoiding overhead watering will not eliminate the disease. Good light, spacing, and airflow matter as well.

🌧️ Root and Stem Problems

Nasturtiums are usually trouble-free when grown in well-drained soil.

Problems become more likely when the root zone stays continuously wet.

Warning signs include yellow foliage, soft stems near the soil line, wilt despite wet soil, and sudden collapse.

If several plants repeatedly rot in one part of the garden, investigate the site rather than simply replacing them.

Poor drainage may be the real problem.

🍂 Why Are My Nasturtium Leaves Turning Yellow?

Yellow leaves have several possible causes.

A few older leaves yellowing near the base of a vigorous plant is usually normal.

Widespread yellowing may point to saturated soil, root damage, severe heat, disease, aging plants, or other environmental stress.

Ironically, fertilizer is not automatically the answer.

Because nasturtiums prefer relatively lean conditions, feeding every yellow plant can create excessive leafy growth without solving the underlying problem.

Check drainage and moisture first.

🌿 Why Does My Nasturtium Have Huge Leaves but No Flowers?

This is the classic nasturtium problem.

The most likely causes are too much fertility or insufficient sunlight.

A plant growing in rich soil may look magnificent from a foliage standpoint while producing very few blooms.

Stop unnecessary feeding.

If the plant is in a container and receives little direct light, move it gradually to a sunnier location.

Be patient while new flowering growth develops.

🌸 Why Did My Nasturtium Stop Blooming?

Flowering may decline because of extreme heat, heavy shade, excessive fertilizer, or seed production.

If the plant is otherwise healthy, remove old flowers and developing seed pods, check light levels, and avoid feeding.

In very hot climates, you may simply need to wait for cooler weather.

Some plants flower much more strongly again as summer begins transitioning toward fall.

🍃 Why Are Nasturtium Leaves Wilting?

Check the soil.

Dry soil is an obvious cause, especially in containers.

However, constantly wet soil can also cause wilting because damaged roots stop functioning properly.

Hot afternoon conditions may produce temporary wilt even when the root zone still contains adequate moisture.

Diagnosis matters.

Do not respond to every wilted leaf with more water.

🌺 Nasturtiums in Vegetable Gardens

Nasturtiums fit naturally into vegetable gardens because they grow quickly, produce edible flowers and leaves, and bring bright color among food crops.

Trailing varieties can cover bed edges or spill over raised-bed sides.

Compact varieties work well near paths.

Avoid allowing aggressive stems to smother young vegetables.

And remember that their reputation as companion plants is sometimes overstated. They may host aphids and caterpillars rather than magically preventing those pests from reaching everything nearby.

Grow them as useful garden companions, not as a substitute for pest monitoring.

🌱 Nasturtiums in Raised Beds

Raised beds can provide excellent drainage for nasturtiums.

Plant them near the outer edge so trailing stems can spill over the side instead of occupying valuable growing space in the center.

This works particularly well when the bed is filled with vegetables that grow vertically.

Be cautious with heavily enriched raised-bed soil.

If the bed receives large amounts of compost and fertilizer for vegetables, the nasturtiums may become unusually leafy.

🌸 Nasturtiums in Cottage Gardens

Few plants fit the relaxed cottage-garden style better.

Let trailing varieties weave between taller flowers, cascade over walls, or soften path edges.

Their rounded foliage contrasts beautifully with narrow-leaved plants and upright flower spikes.

They are particularly effective when allowed to grow somewhat informally rather than being forced into rigid shapes.

🌿 Companion Plants for Nasturtiums

The best companions are plants that enjoy similar sunlight and moisture rather than plants chosen because of exaggerated claims about pest control.

Nasturtiums can work beside marigolds, calendula, herbs, vegetables, compact flowering annuals, and taller plants that leave enough open space for their trailing stems.

For another easy annual with a long flowering season, see our Marigold Care guide. Our Calendula Care guide covers another edible-flowered garden favorite, although calendula generally performs better during cooler weather than nasturtiums.

🌼 Nasturtiums and Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum makes an attractive companion because its clusters of tiny flowers contrast strongly with the large round nasturtium leaves.

Use the combination along bed edges or in containers where both plants can spill outward.

Our Sweet Alyssum guide covers its care in greater detail.

🪴 A Simple Nasturtium Container Combination

A trailing nasturtium can often carry an entire pot on its own.

This is one of those situations where simplicity works well.

Choose an attractive container, plant one or more nasturtiums according to mature size, and allow the leaves and flowers to cascade naturally over the edge.

If combining nasturtiums with other flowers, avoid plants requiring heavy fertilizer. Feeding the companions heavily may cause the nasturtium to produce foliage instead of flowers.

🍂 Fall Nasturtium Care

As summer ends, continue removing faded flowers if you want the plant to bloom until frost.

If you want seeds, allow selected late flowers to mature instead.

Cooler autumn temperatures can produce an especially attractive final flush in climates where midsummer heat reduced flowering.

When frost finally kills the plants, collect any mature seed you want to save and remove the dead stems.

🌱 Spring Nasturtium Care

Spring care is mostly about timing.

Wait until the danger of damaging frost has largely passed and the soil has warmed.

Prepare the planting area without enriching it excessively.

Direct sow seeds where you want the plants to grow.

Keep the soil moist during germination, then reduce watering frequency as roots become established.

Once the plants begin expanding rapidly, direct trailing stems before they become tangled with neighboring plants.

☀️ Summer Nasturtium Care

During summer, your priorities are sunlight, moisture, and restraint.

Do not fertilize simply because it is midsummer.

Water containers as they dry.

Check garden plants during extended drought.

Deadhead regularly if continued flowering is your goal.

Monitor for aphids and caterpillars, but remember that a few insects are normal in an outdoor garden.

During extreme heat, expect the plants to look less vigorous and consider afternoon shade where possible.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Nasturtium Care

Are nasturtiums annuals or perennials?
Common garden nasturtiums are tender plants that are normally grown as annuals in climates with freezing winters. The Tropaeolum genus also includes perennial species.

What is the botanical name of common nasturtium?
The common garden nasturtium is Tropaeolum majus.

Is nasturtium the same plant as watercress?
No. Garden nasturtium belongs to Tropaeolum. Watercress belongs to the genus Nasturtium.

Do nasturtiums prefer sun or shade?
They generally flower best in full sun. Light afternoon shade can be beneficial where summers are extremely hot.

Can nasturtiums grow in partial shade?
Yes, but flowering may decrease as shade increases.

Why does my nasturtium have lots of leaves but no flowers?
Excess fertilizer, rich soil, or insufficient sunlight are the most common reasons.

Should I fertilize nasturtiums?
Garden-grown plants usually require little or no additional fertilizer. Containers may benefit from modest feeding.

Do nasturtiums like poor soil?
They perform very well in poor to average soil as long as drainage is adequate.

How often should nasturtiums be watered?
Water according to soil moisture. Established garden plants tolerate some dryness, while containers require more frequent attention.

Can nasturtiums grow in pots?
Yes. Compact and trailing varieties both make excellent container plants.

Can nasturtiums grow in hanging baskets?
Yes. Trailing varieties are particularly attractive cascading from baskets.

Do nasturtiums climb?
Trailing types can scramble upward when provided with narrow supports and some initial guidance.

How tall do nasturtiums grow?
Compact varieties may remain around a foot tall, while trailing types can extend several feet.

Are nasturtiums frost hardy?
No. Common garden nasturtiums are frost sensitive.

When should nasturtium seeds be planted?
Sow outdoors after severe frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed.

Can nasturtiums be started indoors?
Yes, particularly where the growing season is short.

Do nasturtiums transplant well?
They can be transplanted, but they dislike excessive root disturbance. Direct sowing is often simpler.

Do I need to soak nasturtium seeds?
Usually not. Fresh seed typically germinates successfully without soaking.

How deep should nasturtium seeds be planted?
Follow the packet instructions; around 1/2 to 1 inch deep is common for garden nasturtiums.

Do nasturtiums need deadheading?
No, but deadheading encourages continued flowering and reduces seed production.

Do nasturtiums self-seed?
Yes. Seed can fall and produce volunteer plants the following season.

Can I save nasturtium seeds?
Yes. Their large seeds are particularly easy to collect and store.

Will saved seed produce identical plants?
Not always. Hybrid plants and cross-pollinated garden populations can produce variable seedlings.

Why did my nasturtium stop flowering in summer?
Extreme heat, excessive fertilizer, shade, or heavy seed production may reduce flowering.

Do aphids like nasturtiums?
Yes. Nasturtiums frequently host aphids, particularly on tender new growth.

Do nasturtiums keep aphids away from vegetables?
Not reliably. They may attract aphids, but this does not guarantee nearby crops will remain pest-free.

Do caterpillars eat nasturtiums?
Yes. Several caterpillars may feed on the foliage, including cabbage white butterfly larvae in some regions.

Can nasturtiums get powdery mildew?
Yes. Crowding, shade, and poor airflow can increase disease problems.

Are nasturtium flowers edible?
Yes, flowers from correctly identified, untreated garden nasturtiums are commonly eaten and have a peppery flavor.

Are nasturtium leaves edible?
Yes. They are commonly used for their peppery flavor.

Can I eat nasturtiums purchased from a garden center?
Only if you know they were grown and treated for edible use. Ornamental plants may have been exposed to pesticides not intended for food crops.

Do nasturtiums have medicinal benefits?
The plant contains compounds that have attracted research interest, but garden articles should not turn that into claims that nasturtiums treat or prevent diseases.

Are nasturtiums good for pollinators?
Their flowers can be visited by pollinators, particularly single-flowered varieties, and they can contribute to a diverse flowering garden.

🌸 The Secret to Growing Flower-Filled Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums reward gardeners who resist the temptation to overcare for them.

Start with sunshine.

Plant them in an open location where they receive enough light to produce flowers rather than endless leafy growth. In very hot climates, give them some relief from the strongest afternoon sun.

Then keep the soil simple.

Nasturtiums do not need a heavily amended flower bed filled with fertilizer. Poor to average soil with good drainage often produces a better display than rich soil.

Direct sowing makes planting easy. Their large seeds are simple to handle, seedlings develop quickly, and allowing plants to establish where they will ultimately grow avoids unnecessary root disturbance.

Once the plants are growing, water according to conditions rather than the calendar. Garden-grown nasturtiums can tolerate some dryness, while containers and hanging baskets require closer attention.

Deadhead if you want flowers.

Leave a few late blooms untouched if you want seeds.

And do not panic when aphids arrive. Nasturtiums are famous for attracting them, but a few aphids do not require an all-out chemical response. Monitor the plant, encourage beneficial insects, wash pests away when practical, and remove badly infested stems if necessary.

Most importantly, let nasturtiums behave like nasturtiums.

A trailing variety should be allowed to spill over a wall or scramble across a bed. A climbing type can be guided through wire or string. A compact type can make a bright border. Flowers and leaves from correctly identified, untreated plants can even move from the garden to the kitchen.

Few annual flowers provide so much from such an uncomplicated packet of seeds.

Give nasturtiums sun, drainage, moderate water, and relatively lean soil, and they can provide months of colorful flowers with remarkably little work.