This versatile annual looks its best in cool spring and fall temperatures.
Nasturtium is a fast-growing heirloom annual with slightly succulent stems and distinctive, rounded green leaves that resemble miniaturelotusleaves.
Some varieties even have variegated leaves marked with white or cream.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Cultivars are mounding; some are trailing, and others are climbers.
Adding theedible blossomsto salads or other dishes adds color and a light, peppery flavor.
The large seeds can be pickled and used as a substitute for capers.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Where to Plant Nasturtium
Nasturtiums areeasy to growand work well in garden beds and containers.
They perform well as edging plants or as fillers among perennials.
Vividly colored blossoms pop against the gray-green foliage for an impressive effect when nasturtiums are planted in large groups.
Credit: Bill Stites
Whether you opt for a bush or vine jot down, they grow best in full sun.
How and When to Plant Nasturtium
Plant nasturtiums in the spring after alldanger of frosthas passed.
Remove the plant and loosen the roots from the root ball before placing it in the hole.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Backfill with soil, tamp lightly, and water well.
When planting several nasturtiums, space them 12 inches apart.
While nasturtium can tolerate partial shade, flowering wont be as profuse.
Credit: Christopher Hirsheimer
That said, in warmer climates, the plants will benefit from some protection from the hot afternoon sun.
Theyre prone to wilt during droughts, but once watered, they bounce back.
Temperature and Humidity
Nasturtiums bloom best in the coolertemperatures of springand fall.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
They arent fussy, but the plants will struggle in extreme humidity or very dry conditions.
Nasturtiums can tolerate a light frost but will die after a freeze.
Since nasturtiums are frequently used in food preparation, a hands-off approach to synthetic additives is best.
Credit: Stephen Cridland
By midsummer, vining types may need to be cut back to avoid leggy growth.
Trim off at least 12 inches to stimulate the plant.
Potted plants require more frequent watering than plants in the landscape.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Pests and Problems
Nasturtiums are attractive toaphids.
Bacterial leaf spot may also appear in less-than-ideal conditions.
Nasturtiums dont attract rabbits or deer.
Credit: Jon Jensen
Plant seeds 12-inch deep and keep the soil moist.
Seeds should germinate in 7 to 10 days.
Much of nasturtium breeding has centered on creating more garden-friendly plants, typically bush-key in annuals.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Many varieties have variegated foliage.
Here are some tried-and-true types to try.
Alaska Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majusAlaska is a trailing variety reaching 12 -15 inches.
It offers exciting, white-splashed foliage andstriking red, orange, gold, yellow, and salmon flowers.
Canary Creeper
This selection ofTropaeolum peregrinumin late spring offers abundant fringedcanary-yellowblooms that appear almost like butterflies.
It climbs to 15 feet and is perennial in Zones 9-10.
Peach Melba Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majusPeach Melba offers salmon-peach flowers on compact, 1-foot-tall plants all summer.
It trails or climbs to 16 inches.
Nasturtium Companion Plants
Petunia
Petunias arefailproof favorites for gardenerseverywhere.
Theyre vigorous growers and prolific bloomers from midspring through late fall.
Color choices are nearly limitless, some with beautiful veining and intriguing colors.
Many varieties are sweetly fragrant (to be sure, check for aroma in the garden center.)
Some are also touted as weatherproof, meaning the flowers dont close up when splashed by water.
Wave petunias have made this plant even more popular.
They reach up to 4 feet long and aregreat as a groundcoveror cascading from window boxes and pots.
Cosmos
it’s possible for you to depend on thiscottage garden favoriteto provide color all season long.
The simple, daisy-like flowers appear in cheery shades on tall stems that are great for cutting.
The lacy foliage makes a good backdrop for shorter plants.
Plant cosmos from seed directly in the ground in spring or start them from established seedlings.
It does best with average moisture but tolerates drought.
French Marigold
Just as youd expect from something called French,these marigolds are the fancy ones.
French marigolds tend to be frilly, and some have a distinctive crested eye.
They do best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil and flower all summer long.
They may reseed, returning year after year in spots where theyre happy.
However, they self-seed freely, so the plants might return when the soil warms in the spring.
In warm Zones 9-11, nasturtiums are perennial and return from year to year.
Yellowing leaves may mean overwatering, underwatering, or a nutrient deficiency.
Avoid too much water, but keep the soil moist and ensure proper drainage.
The blooms, leaves, and seeds of nasturtiums are all edible.
They add a peppery flavor to a dish and are rich in antioxidants.
