Nasturtiums are the kind of plant that makes you wonder why more people don’t grow them. They check nearly every box: bright, cheerful flowers in warm oranges, reds, and yellows; edible leaves and blooms with a peppery bite; low-maintenance growing habits; and the ability to thrive in poor soil with little water. Whether you’re planting a vegetable garden, a cottage-style border, or just a few pots on a balcony, nasturtiums belong in the mix.
What Are Nasturtiums?
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus and Tropaeolum minus) are annual plants native to South and Central America, though they’ve naturalized in parts of North America and Europe. They’re part of the Tropaeolaceae family and not actually related to watercress, despite sharing the Latin root word nasturtium, which means “nose-twister”—a nod to the spicy flavor both plants share.
There are two main types of nasturtiums: vining (or trailing) and bush (or dwarf). Vining varieties can grow 6 to 10 feet long, making them perfect for spilling over walls, climbing up trellises, or crawling along the ground as a colorful cover. Bush types stay compact, typically under a foot tall and wide, and work well in containers or as bedding plants.
Why Grow Nasturtiums?
These are not just pretty flowers. Nasturtiums serve multiple purposes in a garden—ornamental, culinary, and ecological. They’re the kind of plant that works hard without looking like it.
1. They’re Beautiful
No denying it: nasturtiums are eye candy. Their five-petaled, funnel-shaped flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, red, and cream, often with darker spots or streaks near the throat. Some varieties have double blooms or bi-colored petals. The round leaves, which resemble lily pads, add texture and color even before the flowers arrive.
You don’t have to be a landscape designer to make nasturtiums work. Their growth habit is naturally relaxed and informal, which makes them perfect for cottage gardens, hanging baskets, and borders. Vining types will ramble anywhere they’re allowed to go—over fences, through other plants, or down a slope. Bush types fill in gaps with a dense, leafy mat dotted in color.
2. They’re Edible
Nasturtiums aren’t just a feast for the eyes. Every part of the plant (except the roots) is edible. The flowers have a peppery, radish-like flavor that adds a kick to salads, sandwiches, and egg dishes. The leaves are similarly spicy and can be used raw or lightly cooked in pesto, stir-fries, and soups.
The unripe seed pods can even be pickled as a substitute for capers. Some gardeners grow nasturtiums just for this purpose. Called “poor man’s capers,” these little green nuggets pack a spicy punch and make an excellent addition to charcuterie boards or antipasto plates.
Their flavor isn’t overpowering, but it’s distinctive. Once you’ve tasted nasturtiums in your cooking, you’ll start seeing them as more than a garnish.
3. They’re Low-Maintenance
If you’re looking for a low-effort, high-reward plant, nasturtiums are a strong contender. They actually prefer poorer soils—fertile, nitrogen-rich soil will make them grow more leaves at the expense of flowers. They’re drought-tolerant once established and don’t require pruning, deadheading, or much attention beyond occasional watering.
They also grow fast. From seed to bloom, you can expect flowers in as little as 6 to 8 weeks. This makes them a good choice for impatient gardeners or for filling in bare spots quickly.
4. They’re Great Companions
In vegetable gardens, nasturtiums are the unsung heroes of companion planting. They attract pollinators like bees and hoverflies. They also lure aphids, cabbage loopers, and whiteflies away from more vulnerable crops like tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, and brassicas. In some cases, they can even repel squash bugs and cucumber beetles.
Gardeners often plant nasturtiums around the edges of vegetable beds or interplant them directly with crops that benefit from their presence. Their sprawling habit can help suppress weeds, keep soil cool, and reduce evaporation.
Growing Nasturtiums from Seed
Nasturtiums are almost always grown from seed. They don’t transplant particularly well, so direct sowing is the most straightforward method. But if you want to get a head start, you can start them indoors a few weeks before your last frost date and transplant them carefully.
When to Plant
In most regions, wait until after your last spring frost to plant nasturtiums outdoors. They don’t tolerate cold, and the seeds won’t germinate in chilly soil. You can start them indoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost if you want earlier blooms.
How to Plant
Nasturtium seeds are relatively large and easy to handle, making them great for kids or beginner gardeners. Each seed looks like a little wrinkled brain, hard and round.
- Soak seeds in water overnight to soften the shell and speed up germination.
- Choose a spot with full sun (at least 6 hours a day). They’ll tolerate light shade but will produce fewer flowers.
- Don’t amend the soil too much. These plants thrive in lean soil.
- Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 10–12 inches apart for bush types, or 18–24 inches apart for trailing varieties.
- Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge, usually in 7–10 days.
Once they’re up and growing, nasturtiums need little beyond watering during dry spells.
Containers
Nasturtiums thrive in containers. Use a basic potting mix (without added fertilizer) and a container with good drainage. Trailing types are excellent for window boxes or hanging baskets where they can spill over the edges. Bush types create a lush, mounded look.
Avoid feeding container-grown nasturtiums with high-nitrogen fertilizers. A bloom booster with low nitrogen and higher phosphorus can help if they’re flowering poorly, but usually, less is more.
Types and Varieties
There are dozens of nasturtium varieties, each with its own charm. Some stay tight and compact; others sprawl out like vines on a mission. Some produce single bright blooms; others offer ruffled or variegated petals.
Popular Trailing Varieties:
- ‘Jewel of Africa’ – A climbing type with variegated leaves and mixed-color flowers.
- ‘Tall Climbing Single’ – A reliable, old-fashioned variety for trellises and fences.
- ‘Moonlight’ – Pale yellow flowers with a soft, romantic vibe.
Compact/Bush Varieties:
- ‘Alaska’ – Variegated white-and-green foliage with mixed flower colors.
- ‘Empress of India’ – Deep crimson flowers and dark green leaves; compact habit.
- ‘Peach Melba’ – Creamy petals with red-orange centers, tidy and charming.
You can find seed mixes that give you a range of colors or choose specific varieties for a color theme.
Growing Tips and Common Problems
Nasturtiums are easy, but like any plant, they have their quirks. Here are some tips to keep them healthy and thriving:
Don’t Overwater
Nasturtiums are surprisingly drought-tolerant once established. Overwatering can lead to root rot or leggy growth. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings.
Go Easy on Fertilizer
They truly prefer poor soil. Fertilizer—especially nitrogen—will give you lush leaves but few flowers. If your nasturtiums aren’t blooming, chances are they’re too well-fed.
Watch for Pests
Ironically, part of nasturtiums’ value is how attractive they are to pests. Aphids, in particular, love them. That’s why they’re so good as trap crops. If you see aphids taking over, you can hose them off or remove infested sections. They rarely do long-term damage to nasturtiums themselves.
Provide Support for Vining Types
Trailing nasturtiums will grow over anything they can reach, but if you want them to climb, you’ll need to help. Use netting, bamboo stakes, or a trellis and guide the vines as they grow. They aren’t natural clingers like peas or morning glories, but they’ll happily twine around supports with a little encouragement.
Cut Back if Needed
If your nasturtiums get too wild or leggy, feel free to cut them back. They bounce back quickly and can even bloom more vigorously after a trim.
Harvesting for the Kitchen
The entire above-ground part of the nasturtium is fair game for the kitchen, but timing matters.
- Leaves are best when young and tender—older ones get tough.
- Flowers are best picked in the morning after dew has dried. Use them the day you pick them for the freshest flavor.
- Seeds can be harvested when green and pickled or saved when brown and dry for next season’s planting.
Ideas for using nasturtiums in cooking:
- Toss petals into green salads for color and bite.
- Add chopped leaves to egg dishes or mix into herb butter.
- Use whole flowers as a garnish for soups, toasts, or cheese plates.
- Blend with basil and nuts for a peppery pesto twist.
- Fill flowers with soft cheese (goat cheese, cream cheese) for edible appetizers.
- Pickle green seed pods in vinegar, salt, and spices for a spicy “capers” alternative.
Saving Seeds
Nasturtiums are generous seed producers. Once the flowers fade, you’ll often find seeds forming right at the base. They start green, then dry into hard, wrinkled balls.
Let them dry on the plant if you want to save them for next season. When they fall to the ground, collect them and store in a cool, dry place. Label them by variety if you’re growing multiple types. Seed viability is good for up to five years.
They also self-seed readily. If you live in a mild climate, you may find them coming back year after year without help.
Design Ideas for Using Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are flexible. Whether you’re designing a vegetable patch, ornamental bed, or edible landscape, they fit right in.
In the Vegetable Garden
Use nasturtiums along the edges of raised beds, especially near tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, or squash. Their flowers will draw in pollinators, and their leaves will distract pests. Let them sprawl between rows to reduce weeds.
In Hanging Baskets
Trailing types look gorgeous cascading from hanging baskets or balcony planters. Pair them with herbs like thyme or oregano, or let them star on their own.
In Borders and Beds
Bush varieties are great in front of taller perennials or shrubs. Try mixing ‘Empress of India’ with dusty miller for a sharp contrast, or ‘Peach Melba’ near purple basil for a soft, romantic palette.
On Trellises and Fences
Grow vining nasturtiums up a small obelisk, wire trellis, or wooden fence for vertical color. They’ll climb fast and fill in awkward gaps beautifully.
As Ground Cover
Trailing types can be used like living mulch. They’ll cover soil quickly, suppress weeds, and reduce water loss. Perfect for sunny slopes or neglected corners.
Final Thoughts
Nasturtiums are a reminder that gardening doesn’t have to be complicated. These plants are cheerful, useful, and forgiving. They grow fast, look great, and give back in more ways than one—whether by brightening up a dull corner, feeding the pollinators, or adding a splash of flavor to your next omelet.
If you’ve got a bit of sun, a little space, and a few seeds, give nasturtiums a try. Chances are, they’ll become a regular feature in your garden for years to come.
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