For a perennial climber that produces colorful blooms and attractive foliage, consider planting nasturtiums.
In this guide, we will go over the ideal growing conditions for nasturtiums, what kind of care they require, and some of the best cultivars to consider.
Jump to the section you need using the advanced jump below, or read on for our full nasturtium growing guide.
Jump to:
- What Are Nasturtiums?
- Are Nasturtiums Annuals or Perennials?
- Nasturtium Basics
- Where Do Nasturtiums Grow?
- Why Grow Nasturtiums?
- When Do Nasturtiums Bloom?
- How Long Do Nasturtiums Bloom?
- When to Plant Nasturtiums
- Ideal Growing Conditions for Nasturtiums
- How to Plant Nasturtiums
- How to Propagate Nasturtiums
- How to Care for Nasturtiums
- Recommended Planting Combinations for Nasturtium
- Nasturtium Landscaping Ideas
- Recommended Nasturtium Varieties
- Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Nasturtiums
- Where to Buy Nasturtiums
What Are Nasturtiums?
“Nasturtium” is the common name for plants that are in the genus Tropaeolum, which is in the Tropaeolaceae family.
Somewhat confusingly, they are not members of the genus Nasturtium! An example of a plant in that genus is the unrelated Nasturtium officinale, which is the scientific name for watercress.
So, why do we call the flowering plants in the genus Tropaeolum “nasturtiums?” The reason is that the oil they produce is a lot like the oil that watercress plants produce.
You can recognize nasturtiums pretty easily both by looking at their blooms and their leaves. The leaves typically have a shield shape that is pretty distinctive.
Nasturtiums have become popular ornamental plants. The Royal Horticultural Society has given the Award of Garden Merit to the Alaska series, the Whirlybird series, and the cultivar Hermine Grashoff.
Are Nasturtiums Annuals or Perennials?
We usually see sources state that some nasturtiums are annuals, while others are perennials. As far as we can tell, most nasturtiums are tender perennials. That simply means that although they may be treated as annuals in some regions, they grow as perennials in warmer climate zones.
It is possible to overwinter nasturtiums successfully, however. So, even if you are not in a hot climate zone, you can still grow these plants as perennials with a little extra care. See the section on overwintering for more details.
Nasturtium Basics
| Zones: | 9-11 |
| Blooming season: | Spring, summer, and fall (and sometimes winter) |
| Expected height: | Up to 15 feet (climbing) |
| Soil: | Well-drained soil |
| Sun: | Full sun (best) or partial shade |
Where Do Nasturtiums Grow?
Nasturtiums are native to South and Central America. Today, they are cultivated throughout warmer climate zones.
Why Grow Nasturtiums?
Here are some compelling reasons to plant nasturtiums:
• Boost soil quality. Organic Gardener explains, “Nasturtiums can literally help you improve your soil. They are so fast-growing that they can be used as green manure. When ours get out of control, we simply chop and drop the leaves onto the soil to add back valuable nutrients and organic matter. They can also be added to the compost for a nitrogen-rich boost and accelerate the composting process.”
• Groundcover that acts as living mulch. Nasturtiums tend to keep weeds away simply through their presence while also keeping the soil beneath them cool. In this way, they act a bit like mulch.
• Low maintenance. Nasturtiums are really easy to grow, especially if you are in an ideal climate zone. Pruning is minimal,
• Pest control. It is a popular practice to put nasturtiums next to plants you want to protect from pests. They seem to draw them away.
• Landscaping versatility. As you will see in our section about landscaping, there are a ton of different ways you can grow nasturtiums to achieve different looks in your outdoor spaces.
• Edible flowers. Nasturtiums are non-toxic and safe to eat, and lots of people love the bright colors and delicious flavors they bring to dishes.
• Perfect for poor soil. Stuck with poor soil that other plants don’t like? Nasturtiums you plant in your poor soil will usually produce lots of blooms.
• Invite pollinators. Nasturtium flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Some other pollinators that are attracted to them include hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and ladybirds. These insects are great to have in your garden because they can help you get rid of pests.
When Do Nasturtiums Bloom?
The bloom period for nasturtiums varies widely depending on the climate zone. If you live in a warmer zone, your nasturtiums may bloom starting as early as winter and into spring. If you live in a cooler climate zone, your nasturtiums are more likely to bloom during summer and fall.
How Long Do Nasturtiums Bloom?
The bloom time for nasturtiums lasts for months. During that time, nasturtiums will continuously produce new blooms without any effort on your part.
When to Plant Nasturtiums
Spring is the best time of year to plant nasturtiums. Wait until after your last frost to plant them.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Nasturtiums
Let’s go over the sun, soil, and water requirements for nasturtiums so you can choose the best spots for these plants and give them what they need to produce beautiful flowers every year.
How Much Sun Do Nasturtiums Need?
If you can, plant your nasturtiums in full sun. This will provide you with the best flower production.
Gardeners who do not have a sunny spot for nasturtiums can get away with light shade. Afternoon shade is best since it can give the plants a bit of relief during the hottest months.
If you grow them in partial shade, the blooms are unlikely to be as abundant as they would be in full sun.
What Type of Soil is Right for Nasturtiums?
Nasturtiums are not overly picky about soil consistency; so long as you have free-draining soil that will not become waterlogged, they should be pretty happy. Slightly alkaline or slightly acidic soil are both fine.
Now, there is one thing you need to pay close attention to, and that is soil richness. Nasturtiums respond to soil richness with profuse foliage and fewer blooms. So, if you want lots of flowers, then you should plant them in poorer soil. It should not be too poor but relatively poor.
How Much Water Do Nasturtiums Need?
You should water nasturtium plants if they are not getting enough water from precipitation. They need roughly an inch of water weekly, like many other perennials in your garden.
Nasturtiums that are growing in containers can dry out more quickly than those in the ground. They may need more water than the plants in your flower beds.
How to Plant Nasturtiums
There are two ways you can purchase and plant nasturtiums: using starter plants from a nursery or seeds.
We will cover how to grow nasturtiums from seeds in our sections on propagation. In the sections below, we will explain how to plant a nasturtium starter plant in your flower bed or in a container.
Ground Planting
1. Pick a suitable spot in your garden for your nasturtiums.
2. Dig holes for the plants. A good rule of thumb is to make them as large as the nursery containers in which your nasturtiums arrived.
3. Take the nasturtiums out of the nursery containers.
4. Transplant the nasturtiums into the holes you dug.
5. Backfill the soil. The crowns should be even with the level of the soil.
6. Water deeply.
Container Planting
Nasturtiums make a fantastic choice for containers. Here is how to plant nasturtiums in your container garden.
1. Select containers with drainage holes for your plants.
2. Begin filling the containers. Gardeners World says that for potted nasturtiums, “Mix two-thirds peat-free multipurpose compost with one-third fine gravel or grit to reduce fertility and ensure good drainage.”
3. Take the nasturtiums out of their nursery containers. Plant one in each of your pots.
4. Finish filling in the potting mix. Then, water well.
How to Propagate Nasturtiums
To propagate nasturtiums, your main options are seeds or cuttings. As far as we can tell, people do not divide their nasturtiums.
Starting Nasturtiums from Seed
Let’s talk about how you can grow nasturtiums from seeds. We will explain how to sow them directly outside first. After that, we will go over instructions for starting them indoors.
Starting Nasturtium Seeds Outdoors
Wait until the last frost of the year is behind you. Then, follow these steps:
1. Sow your seeds. Put about 10” of space between them, and push each one down into the soil about 1”.
3. Put a marker in the soil next to the seeds so that you (and others) remember where you planted them.
4. Wait for the seedlings to germinate. Keep the soil moist, but be careful to not wash them out.
Starting Nasturtium Seeds Indoors
If you want to start your nasturtium seeds indoors, you should begin the process about 2-4 weeks before the last frost of the year. This is a good way to give them a head start if you want them to flower earlier.
1. Get a container with drainage holes and fill it with seed starting mix.
2. Push 1 seed about 1” down into the potting mix in your container. If you want to start additional seeds, you will need more containers.
3. Find a sunny spot for your seeds to germinate, or make use of grow lights. Keep the potting mix moist while the seeds are germinating.
4. You should see the seedlings sprout in about 10-12 days. Continue to care for them while they keep growing.
5. After the seedlings have had enough time to develop, you can think about putting them outdoors. Make sure that the last frost has passed, and then begin the process of hardening.
Hardening is extra important with nasturtiums because they are highly susceptible to transplant shock.
Take them outdoors very briefly, then bring them back inside. Repeat the process, but take them out a little longer. Keep doing this until they are adapted to the outdoors. Then, transplant them.
Starting Nasturtiums from Cuttings
Here is how you can start nasturtiums from cuttings.
1. Trim off some pieces of stem that are about 5”.
2. Get some containers with drainage holes. Fill them with a potting mix.
3. Use a spray bottle to get the potting mix moist. Wait for any excess water to drip out of the bottom of each.
4. Use a chopstick to make a hole in the middle of each of your containers. Just do one hole per container.
5. Dip the ends of the cuttings in the rooting hormone.
6. Push one cutting into each hole/pot.
7. Gently tamp down the potting mix around each cutting so that they are all secure.
8. Find a sunny spot for your cuttings to grow, or use grow lights. Monitor the moisture levels and use the spray bottle to dampen the potting mix if it begins to dry out.
9. It takes about a week for the cuttings to start rooting. Once they do, keep taking care of them a little longer in their containers so that they will be able to handle transplanting.
10. Harden the cuttings before you transplant them outside.
How to Care for Nasturtiums
For your nasturtiums to bloom successfully every year, you need to take care of them properly. Let’s talk about how to fertilize, mulch, stake, and prune these perennial climbers.
How to Fertilize Nasturtiums
How do you fertilize nasturtiums? In most cases, the answer to this question is “Don’t.” If you fertilize these plants, they tend to produce a lot of foliage but not too many flowers. So, you usually should just leave them alone.
Are there any exceptions? Occasionally, if your soil is poor enough, yes, nasturtiums could use a little boost. Just keep it to a minimum. It is really easy to over-fertilize nasturtiums.
How to Mulch Nasturtiums
You can put some mulch around your nasturtiums to lock moisture into the soil and insulate it against high temperatures during the peak of summer. Weeds will also be kept away by the mulch (though the nasturtiums actually do a fantastic job of that on their own).
Whether you need mulch or not depends in part on how you grow the nasturtiums. If you are growing them as a groundcover, you can probably skip it, since the nasturtium plant itself will behave a bit like a living mulch. But if you are growing the nasturtium upward on a trellis, then you might want to use mulch around the plant.
What should you use for mulching nasturtiums? Aged compost is a great choice.
How to Train Nasturtiums
You do not stake nasturtiums, but you may sometimes train them to climb vertically.
For nasturtiums to grow vertically, you need something they can grab. A trellis makes for a versatile option since you can set it up just about anywhere. They may also grab fine onto some other surfaces, such as fences.
Push the trellis into the soil before you plant the nasturtiums. Then, simply wait. The nasturtiums should find and grab the trellises by themselves if they are close enough. If they are not attaching on their own, you can gently push the tendrils through so that they do grab, directing the growth as you desire.
If you already planted your nasturtiums and did not include trellises originally, you can still add them. But when pushing them into the soil, you will have to be careful not to damage the plants.
How to Prune Nasturtiums
You can prune nasturtiums by deadheading the blooms and trimming back the stems.
How to Deadhead Nasturtiums
You do not need to deadhead nasturtiums to get them to produce fresh blooms; they bloom continuously on their own, even if you never lift a finger.
A lot of gardeners deadhead nasturtiums anyway, though. The main purpose of this is just to keep the nasturtiums looking tidy. Sometimes, deadheading may also help the plants bloom for longer each year. They may also bloom more profusely with deadheading since they can put their energy toward new bloom production.
Deadheading nasturtiums can also stop them from going to seed if that is your goal.
When to Cut Back Nasturtiums
A lot of perennials just need to be cut back once a year in the fall. Nasturtiums are a little different, however.
If nasturtiums are not cut back during their growing seasons, they can take on a leggy appearance. Depending on the types of nasturtiums you planted, as well as your climate zone, you might need to trim them a bit in spring, summer, and/or fall. It is common to need to do it twice a year.
You should not be doing dramatic trimming of your nasturtiums. Just look for the stems that are the longest, and cut them back by up to a foot. If you find dead leaves and flowers, you can get rid of them at this time.
Can You Overwinter Nasturtiums?
Yes, it is possible for you to overwinter nasturtiums. If you keep them in containers, you can bring them inside for the winter.
This does not appear to be a common practice, but we have seen some gardeners do it successfully. Rosemary at Content in a Cottage explains:
“These two small pots of nasturtiums were dug up in the fall, and they have continued to thrive in my cool attic all winter long. I never tire of looking at their bright green round leaves on red stems and am quite amazed at how hardy they are for annuals. They ask for nothing but to be watered when they begin to dry out. I also pick off the yellow leaves. They bloomed for a long time in the fall too. From now on, I'm calling them tender perennials, and I'm happy I'll have a couple of plants to put out in the spring instead of having to wait for my seeds to sprout.”
Are Nasturtiums Vulnerable to Diseases or Pests?
Nasturtiums may sometimes get diseases such as viruses, aster yellows, clubroot, or fasciation.
Whether pests are a problem for nasturtiums or not seems to depend on who you ask. The University of California mentions a number of potential issues, including aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, spider mites, and leafhoppers. But we have seen other resources that suggest that nasturtiums repel these types of garden pests from neighboring plants.
It could be that rather than repelling the insect pests altogether, what the nasturtiums are doing is attracting them to themselves and removing interest from neighboring plants.
Slugs and snails like to eat nasturtiums, so watch out for those, even if you do not have insect problems.
Deer and rabbits hypothetically can eat nasturtiums, and sometimes they might. But we have not seen a lot of complaints about it. So, they do not appear to be that high on their lists of favorite foods.
Recommended Planting Combinations for Nasturtium
One popular thing to do with nasturtiums is to plant them as companions for fruits and vegetables. They may help keep certain insect pests away from your produce while also bringing some beauty to your vegetable garden.
Many gardeners use marigolds the same way in their gardens. So, you can also consider marigolds as companion plants for nasturtiums, as they may reinforce each others’ pest-fighting effects, providing extra protection to nearby fruits and vegetables. They also look beautiful next to one another. See the Full Marigolds Growing Guide to learn how to plant marigolds and maintain them.
Nasturtium Landscaping Ideas
Here are a few ways you can use this versatile plant to bring pops of vibrant color to your landscape:
• Groundcover: One of the most popular ways to use nasturtium is as a groundcover. Not only is a blanket of nasturtium across the ground exceptionally beautiful, but it also benefits the soil.
• Along a fence or wall: Another popular choice is to plant nasturtiums along the base of a fence or wall. Depending on the texture of the fence or wall, they may be able to grab onto it a little, clinging to the vertical surface in an attractive way (though not necessarily climbing it).
• Up a trellis: Anywhere you place a trellis in your garden, you can train nasturtiums to climb up it. The possibilities here are limited only by your imagination. You can even grow them up over a garden arch.
• Container garden: Try planting nasturtiums in containers to place out on your deck or patio. Even a single nasturtium in a pot can draw a lot of attention. You can bring them indoors with ease in the winter.
• Hanging baskets: Speaking of containers, you can also plant nasturtiums in baskets overhead. They will spill over the sides in a captivating way.
• Spilling over a wall: Plant some nasturtiums along the top of a wall or fence and let them cascade over the top of it for an enchanting effect.
• Focal point: Do you have a tree, post, statue, or fountain you want to make a focal point in your landscape? Plant some nasturtiums around its base. They will grow up around it beautifully.
Recommended Nasturtium Varieties
Let’s take a look at some exciting types of nasturtiums to add to your garden beds.
• Peach Melba: If you want a type of nasturtium that produces yellow flowers, you may appreciate this cultivar. The petals feature peachy and reddish markings for additional visual interest.
• Orchid Cream: This nasturtium cultivar has some features in common with Peach Melba, in that it has light-colored blooms with darker markings. The markings, in this case, are red, and the petals are creamy.
• Black Velvet: The blooms of this cultivar are a deep, velvety maroon that can appear almost black depending on the lighting.
• Orchid Flame: The bright blooms of this type of nasturtium are a combination of fiery orange, yellow and red hues.
• Orange Gleam: One of the most beautiful orange varieties of nasturtium is the impressive “Orange Gleam.” The gorgeous blooms produce a spectacular scent, and the trailing growth habit is ideal for planting over walls or fences or hanging from baskets.
• Alaska: Whether you want yellow blooms, salmon blooms, or red blooms, the compact “Alaska” series is a favorite among nasturtium enthusiasts.
• Empress of India: It is hard to say what is more captivating—the deep emerald foliage of this cultivar or the beautiful red blooms. Either way, hummingbirds agree it is one of the best cultivars of nasturtium to be found in any garden.
• Strawberry Cream: These nasturtiums are a mix that includes cream-colored blooms with bright red markings and bright red-colored blooms.
• Apricot: Just as the name states, these blooms have a lovely warm apricot hue.
• Indian Chief: Like Empress of India, Indian Chief features red blooms and dark green leaves. It climbs very well, so consider it if you want to add some vertical beauty to your landscape.
• Moonlight: Here is a cultivar that you can plant to bring some creamy white blooms to your garden.
• Troika Orange: This cultivar features blooms in an impressively deep shade of orange. Variegated leaves add to the loveliness.
• Troika Red: This is the equivalent to Troika Orange, except that the blooms are red instead, with deeper red markings near the centers.
• Troika Spotty Dotty: The blooms of this cultivar are a light orange color, and the petals have red markings on them.
• Salmon Mousse: The salmon pink color of this cultivar’s blooms is absolutely enchanting, standing out against the dark green leaves for a splendid contrast.
• Phoenix: This artfully named cultivar is one of the most eye-catching and unique you will find. The petals have a different shape than most nasturtiums; instead of having rounded edges, they have spiky edges that look like tongues of flame. Furthering this impression are the bright colors of the flowers: orange, yellow, red, peach, and white (many flowers sport multiple hues, like a combination of peachy orange and white).
• Cherrelle: For blooms that are a bright cherry red hue, plant this attractive cultivar.
• Jewel: This series includes blooms in yellow, salmon, peach, and red. Each flower appears like an exquisite gem among the foliage.
• Purple Emperor: You probably have noticed by now that most cultivars of nasturtiums have flowers with warm hues like orange, red, and yellow. One exception is the marvelous “Purple Emperor,” which has light purple flowers. Since the blooms get lighter with age, at any given time, you will see a number of different shades of purple on the same plant, signifying newer and older blooms.
• Whirlybird: Looking for a cultivar of nasturtium that has demi-double flowers? You will love this compact cultivar with its golden and red blooms.
• Vesuvius: This cultivar is noteworthy both for its slightly bluish leaves and for its eruption of salmon blooms every summer.
• Yeti: Unsurprisingly, “Yeti” is a type of nasturtium with white flowers. They have an elegant look against the backdrop of dark green leaves. The trailing growth habit of this plant lends well to baskets, but it can look great in a wide range of different landscaping contexts.
There are plenty of other varieties of nasturtium you can consider as well, so shop around to find the perfect choice for your garden!
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Nasturtiums
Let’s wrap up our nasturtium growing guide by answering a few common questions about these plants.
If something is eating your nasturtiums, check for slugs or snails. In some cases, the culprits could also be insects or even mammals.
Many nasturtiums are climbers but there are mounding varieties, too. You can also have them cascade over the edge of a container, wall, etc.
Yes, you can eat nasturtiums. You can eat any part of the plant Tropaeolum majus, which is known as “garden nasturtium” or “Indian cress,” but most people eat the flower. It reportedly tastes similar to watercress and adds a peppery flavor to dishes. It also can make stir fry, salad, and other dishes a lot more colorful. If you grow it in your garden, check out some recipes online and give it a try.
Yes, nasturtiums do reseed themselves. If you are growing a nasturtium in an appropriate climate zone, however, you can keep it as a perennial. It will keep coming back every year, so you do not need to rely on self-seeding to keep enjoying your flowers.
Ornamental nasturtiums that are part of the genus Tropaeolum (which is our focus in this post) are non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
That said, plants in the Nasturtium genus (i.e., watercress) are toxic to animals and can get them sick. So, make sure you do not mix the two up.
If you want your nasturtium to climb, yes, you will have the easiest time doing this with a trellis or a fence. But if you prefer, you can always just let the nasturtium hang from something, such as a pot.
Where to Buy Nasturtiums
While your local garden center may sell some nasturtiums, the selection online is much larger. Take a look and see what cultivars you can bring to your garden.
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