How to Grow Nasturtiums

How to Grow & Care for Nasturtiums

Grow Nasturtiums: Ever wanted a splash of color in your garden that practically takes care of itself? Look no further than nasturtiums! These cheerful flowers are a favorite among gardeners for good reason. Our Grow Guide spills the beans (or should we say seeds?) on everything you need to know about sowing and growing these beauties.

Nasturtiums are easy to grow and care for, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, but they can tolerate partial shade and poor soil conditions. They don’t require much fertilizing, and over-rich soil can actually lead to more foliage and fewer flowers. Water regularly, especially when young, and be mindful of pests like aphids.

Basic Growth Requirements

Nasturtium Seeds – Growing Guide

Nasturtiums thrive in full sun to partial shade and require well-drained soil with moderate to low fertility. They don’t need much fertilizer and become drought-tolerant once established. Sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost.

• Sunlight: Full sun is best (6+ hours), though partial shade is acceptable. Excess shade may reduce flowering.
• Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic, average soil is ideal. Avoid overly rich soil as it may reduce flowering. Compost can be beneficial.
• Planting:
  • Direct Sowing: Sow ½ inch deep, spaced 10–12 inches apart, after the last frost.
  • Starting Indoors: Begin seeds 2–4 weeks prior to last frost in peat pots or large-cell trays to avoid root disturbance.
  • Germination: Expect sprouts within 7–14 days at 55–65°F (12–18°C).
  • Hardening Off: Gradually expose indoor-grown seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
• Watering: Water consistently during dry spells but avoid overwatering. Check moisture 2 inches below the surface. Water in early morning or late afternoon.
• Pests & Diseases: May attract aphids but repel other pests. Shield seedlings from slugs/snails and avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal issues.
• Support: Trailing varieties may benefit from trellises, obelisks, or support structures.
• Pruning: Deadheading enhances appearance. Mid-summer pruning of trailing types can stimulate new blooms and growth.

Nasturtiums: A Feast for the Eyes (and the Taste Buds!)

Forget boring orange! Nasturtiums come in a vibrant rainbow of colors, from sunshine yellow and fiery red to creamy white and deep burgundy. Some even boast stunning marbled or mottled leaves! These delightful plants aren’t just lookers, though. Nasturtiums, also known as Indian cress, are entirely edible! Flowers, leaves, and even seeds add a peppery kick to salads, sandwiches, and more.

Bushy or Climbing – Grow Nasturtiums for Every Garden

Nasturtiums come in two main varieties: bushy and climbing. Bushy nasturtiums (Tropaeolum minus) are perfect for pots, hanging baskets, or adding a pop of color to the front of your flower bed. Climbing nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are natural-born climbers, happy to scramble up trellises, obelisks, or even other plants. They also make fantastic ground cover, cascading beautifully down slopes or banks.

More Than Just Pretty Flowers

Nasturtiums are like little superheroes in the garden. They attract beneficial insects like bees with their vibrant blooms, while their leaves act as a decoy, attracting pesky caterpillars away from your precious vegetables. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to grow from seed, making them perfect for gardening newbies and little helpers. Want long-lasting summer bouquets? Nasturtiums make delightful cut flowers too!

Ready to Grow Your Own Nasturtium Paradise?

Head over to our Grow Guide for step-by-step instructions on sowing seeds, caring for your plants, and enjoying a summer filled with vibrant blooms and delicious edibles!

Skip the Fertilizer Feast

Nasturtiums are the chillest roommates you’ll ever have in the garden. Unlike some high-maintenance plants, they actually prefer things on the less fertile side. So, save yourself a trip to the store and skip the fertilizer – they’ll be perfectly happy without it!

How to Deadhead Nasturtium Flowers

To deadhead nasturtiums, which is optional but can encourage more blooms, simply pinch off or snip the spent flowers, especially those with curled stems indicating they are past their prime. Deadheading encourages the plant to focus its energy on producing new flowers rather than setting seed.

• Identify Spent Flowers: Look for flowers with curled stems—they signal that blooming has ceased. These stems differ from the straight ones of fresh flowers.
• Remove the Spent Flowers:
  • Pinching: Use your fingers or fingernails to pinch off the flower just below the flower head.
  • Clipping: Alternatively, use scissors or pruning shears to snip off the flower head and stem.
• Timing: Deadhead regularly as flowers fade. Missing a few isn’t a problem.
• Benefits of Deadheading:
  • Encourages prolonged blooming by redirecting energy away from seed production.
  • Improves overall plant appearance.
  • Can help prevent fungal diseases by removing dead or damaged foliage.

Where to Grow Nasturtiums

Nasturtium Growing Conditions & Companion Uses

Nasturtiums thrive in sunny spots with well-draining, slightly poor soil. They’re highly versatile and adapt well to borders, raised beds, hanging baskets, and vegetable gardens. While they prefer full sun, they can tolerate partial shade in hot climates—though this may reduce blooming.

Sunshine, Not Snobby Soil: The Secret to Nasturtium Success

Nasturtiums are sunshine seekers! Think of them as little floral sunbathers who need at least half a day of sun to truly thrive. But here’s the surprising twist: unlike most flowers who crave rich, fertile soil, nasturtiums are totally cool with a bit of neglect. In fact, poor soil is their happy place!

Why? Because too much rich soil leads to a jungle of leaves with shy flowers hiding underneath. Nasturtiums are all about the blooms, so poor soil encourages them to put on a dazzling floral display.

Nasturtiums: Versatile Beauties for Every Garden

These sunshine-loving charmers are incredibly versatile. Plant them at the front of your flower border for a vibrant pop of color. Train them to climb up an obelisk for a cascading floral waterfall. Use them as companion plants in your veggie patch – they’ll attract helpful insects while keeping pesky caterpillars at bay. Nasturtiums even look fantastic spilling over the edges of raised beds and pots, adding a touch of whimsy to your garden design.

Ready to Unleash Nasturtium Magic?

So ditch the fancy fertilizers and find your nasturtiums a sunny spot with some well-draining soil. They’re low-maintenance, easy to please, and will reward you with a summer filled with cheerful blooms. Let the sunshine (and nasturtiums!) brighten your day!

When & How to Sow Nasturtium Seeds

Planting Nasturtiums: A Seasonal Guide

Start your nasturtium adventure under cover as early as March. As the soil begins to warm up, from March to May, it’s time to move outdoors. A little tip for continuous blooms – consider a late sowing. This will ensure a garden filled with vibrant nasturtium flowers right up until the first frosts make their appearance.

Sowing in Ground vs. Pots

Nasturtiums can be grown successfully both in the ground and in pots. Growing them in the ground is generally easier and allows for more space for their sprawling habit, but pots offer more control, especially in smaller gardens or where space is limited.

Growing in the Ground:

• Pros: Nasturtiums thrive in poor soil and can be easily sown directly into the ground after the last frost. They can spread and fill gaps in borders or create ground cover.
• Cons: They may require more space to spread, and rich soil can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Growing in Pots:

• Pros: Pots offer control over soil conditions (avoiding rich soil) and allow for placement in smaller gardens or balconies. They can be used to create trailing displays in hanging baskets or window boxes.
• Cons: Pots may require more frequent watering, especially in hot weather, and need to be monitored for drainage.

Nasturtiums: From Seed to Stunning Blooms – In Ground or Pots!

Nasturtiums are like the low-maintenance friends of the flower world. They’re easy to grow, come in vibrant colors, and thrive in both the ground and pots. Here’s how to get yours started:

Planting in the Ground:

1. Prep Party: Clear the area where your nasturtiums will shine. Rake the soil until it’s smooth and weed-free. Then, give it a good drink – we don’t want to wash away our precious seeds later!
2. Seed Sowing Soiree: Nasturtiums prefer a little breathing room. Push seeds about 1.5cm deep and 10cm apart into the damp soil. You can use your finger or a bamboo cane to make shallow holes.
3. Tuck Them In: Gently cover the seeds with soil and wait for the magic to happen!
4. Space Cadet: Once your seedlings peek through (around 2 weeks), it’s time to give them some elbow room. Thin them out to about 30cm apart.
5. Scatter and Grow: Feeling adventurous? Nasturtiums are happy to sprout wherever they land! Simply scatter seeds around the edges of raised beds, large pots, or anywhere you fancy a pop of color.

Pot Power:

Want nasturtiums even sooner? Here’s how to get a head start with pots:

1. Cozy Quarters: Grab a 9cm pot for each seed. Sow them indoors in a greenhouse or sunny windowsill.
2. Toughen Up: As the weather warms, gradually introduce your nasturtiums to the outdoors – this hardening off process helps them adjust.
3. Grand Entrance: Once all danger of frost has passed (usually late spring), transplant your nasturtium pots outside and enjoy the show!

How to Plant Out Nasturtiums

If you’re new to gardening and haven’t yet tried your hand at growing plants from seeds, you might come across small pots of nasturtiums at your local garden center. Here’s a more engaging way to present the planting process for nasturtiums, both in the ground and in containers:

Planting Nasturtiums in Your Garden

Start by digging a hole that matches the size of the pot in which your nasturtium was initially grown. Ensure that the leafy crown of the plant is level with the soil surface when you place it in the hole. After planting, give it a good amount of water.

Cultivating Nasturtiums in Containers

For container planting, create a mix using two parts of peat-free multipurpose compost and one part fine gravel or grit. This combination not only reduces the fertility of the soil, which nasturtiums prefer, but also promotes excellent drainage. Just like with garden planting, make sure the crown of leaves is at soil level when you plant. Water the plant thoroughly after planting.

Remember, gardening is a journey. Enjoy every step!

Gathering and Preservation

Every part of the Nasturtium plant, including the leaves, blossoms, and seeds, is edible. The flowers and tender leaves offer a spicy flavor, akin to watercress, making them a delightful addition to salads. The seed pods, often referred to as ‘the common man’s capers’, can be used as a caper substitute. Harvest them when they are fully grown but still green, and preserve them in vinegar.

When the Nasturtium seeds ripen, you can gather them and store them in a cool, dry place for planting the following year. In regions with mild climates, Nasturtiums are likely to self-seed, leading to the spontaneous growth of seedlings in subsequent years. These unexpected sprouts can be easily removed if they are not desired.

Nasturtiums: Good, Bad and Beautiful Butterflies

Nasturtiums are like the life of the party in the garden – beautiful, low-maintenance, and sometimes attracting a bit too much attention. Here’s how to handle some of the not-so-fun guests that might show up on your nasturtiums:

The Case of the Curious Caterpillars:

• Butterfly Bonanza: Nasturtiums can become a magnet for large white butterflies (also known as cabbage white butterflies). These fluttery friends love to lay their greenish eggs on the underside of nasturtium leaves. The eggs hatch into hungry caterpillars who might munch away at your nasturtiums.
• The Plot Twist: This can actually be a good thing! Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, attracting caterpillars away from your precious brassica vegetables (like broccoli or kale). So, if you’re growing nasturtiums for pest control, this is a win-win!
• Caterpillar Control: But if you’re more interested in the flowers themselves, a little vigilance is key. Regularly inspect your nasturtiums and gently squash the eggs or young caterpillars before they can cause major damage. Alternatively, you can relocate them to a plant you don’t mind them munching on.

Aphid Appetizers:

• The Sticky Situation: Nasturtiums can also be a target for aphids, especially the blackfly variety. These tiny sap-sucking insects can be a nuisance.
• Nasturtiums to the Rescue (Again!): Here’s another cool thing about nasturtiums – they can act as a decoy for aphids! Planting nasturtiums near your bean crops can lure the aphids away from your beans and onto the nasturtiums instead.
• Natural Nasties: However, if you’re growing nasturtiums for their leaves and flowers, aphids are definitely unwelcome guests. The good news is, you don’t need harsh chemicals. A strong jet of water can blast them off the plants. Even better, nature has its own aphid assassins – ladybirds, hoverflies, and lacewings. These beneficial insects love to feast on aphids, so keep an eye out for them and their egg clusters on your nasturtiums.

By understanding these potential visitors and using a little eco-friendly intervention, you can keep your nasturtiums thriving and looking their best all season long.

Varieties of Nasturtiums:

Nasturtiums offer a variety of types and colors, including trailing and bush varieties, with blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and cream. Some popular varieties include ‘Black Velvet’, ‘Empress of India’, ‘Peach Melba’, and the ‘Alaska’ series. You can also find unique types like the ‘Canary Creeper’ (a climber) and the ‘Whirlybird’ mix.

Trailing/Climbing Varieties:

• Tropaeolum majus: Common nasturtium species with a trailing habit, suitable for climbing trellises.
• Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum): Vigorous vine with five-lobed, canary-yellow flowers resembling birds.
• Glorious Gleam: Mix of gold, scarlet, and orange blooms with a rambling habit, ideal for climbing.
• Jewel of Africa: Trailing mix featuring yellow, red, cream, and pink flowers with variegated leaves.
• Tall Trailing Mix: Blend of rose, yellow, and orange flowers known for vigorous growth.

Bush/Compact Varieties:

• Tropaeolum minus: Compact, mound-forming species of nasturtium.
• Alaska Series: Variegated white-splashed leaves with flowers in orange, red, rose, yellow, and salmon.
• Dwarf Jewel Mix: Compact plants with vibrant jewel-toned blooms.
• Empress of India: Bright scarlet flowers with blue-green foliage.
• Peach Melba: Creamy peach-colored flowers with a red splash at the base.
• Whirlybird Series: Mounding type with blooms in red, orange, pink, and gold.

Other Notable Varieties:

• Black Velvet: Dark, velvety maroon-colored flowers.
• Orchid Cream: Soft cream-colored blooms.
• Phoenix: Unique fringed, double flowers.
• Salmon Baby: Striking salmon-colored flowers.
• Strawberries & Cream: Pale yellow flowers with strawberry red splashes.

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