Nasturtiums add an energetic burst of color to your garden with their vibrant, hibiscus-like flowers and lush green vines. They’re always a favorite plant in my kitchen garden. You might want to grow these bright flowers for reasons beyond their obvious visual appeal; you can toss both the leaves and the flowers in your salad bowl, and if that’s not enough, the plants actually help shield the other plants in your garden from pests.
Let’s look at how to grow your own nasturtium flowers from seed in your garden space.
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THE BENEFITS OF GROWING NASTURTIUM FLOWERS
Before we dive into the how-to’s of growing nasturtiums, let’s explore why they’re a staple in home gardens. I mean, if you’re not already sold that these tropical-looking flowers are a great choice for your garden.
Nasturtiums Are Edible Flowers You Can Use in the Kitchen
Both the flowers and the leaves of nasturtium plants are edible. They actually have a peppery taste reminiscent of arugula. Use the edible flowers as a pretty garnish. Brighten up salads, sandwiches, and wraps with the lily-pad shaped leaves or flowers. You’ll enjoy vitamins and nutrients like vitamin C in a form your body can easily absorb.
Nasturtiums Are Easy Flowers for Beginner Gardeners
Nasturtiums are incredibly easy to grow, which is perfect for first-time gardeners.
Fun Fact: Most of the flowers, herbs, and veggies you might want to grow in your vegetable garden come from just a handful of plant families. Nasturtiums are a bit of an oddball in this respect. They come from the Tropaeolaceae family and are native to South America.
Nasturtiums Make Excellent Companion Plants
Nasturtiums are well-known for their natural pest-repellent abilities, which makes them excellent companion plants in your vegetable garden. They produce airborne chemicals that repel common pests like aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, and cabbage loopers. So plant nasturtiums next to your leafy greens, cucumbers, and squash so they can act like little garden bodyguards for these pest-prone plants.
Nasturtiums Attract Pollinators to Your Garden
It always amazes me how some flowering plants can both repel bad bugs and attract good bugs, but that’s exactly what nasturtiums manage to do. Flowers are scented and come in shades of yellow, orange, and red, which look really inviting to beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies.
BEST NASTURTIUM VARIETIES TO GROW FROM SEED
Nasturtiums fall into two broad categories: trailing varieties and bushy varieties. Trailing types are great for creating a vibrant cascade down a container garden or window box. Bushy types can fill in empty spots in the garden.
Here are some of my favorite varieties of nasturtium to grow in my garden.
Trailing Nasturtium Varieties (Great for Containers and Hanging Baskets)
Amazon Jewel
Amazon Jewel nasturtiums feature variegated vining foliage and stunning blossoms in shades of orange, rosy peach, ruby red, gold, and pale lemon. Leaves are emerald green streaked with white.
Alaska Mix
Alaska Mix nasturtiums are a beautiful variety known for their striking cream-splashed variegated leaves and bright flowers, making them a standout choice for garden beds and containers.
Little Firebirds Nasturtium
Little Firebirds nasturtiums are a great choice for hanging baskets, with trailing vines covered in warm coral, pumpkin, and burgundy blooms that spill beautifully over the sides of containers
Bushy Nasturtiums
Cherries Jubilee
Cherries Jubilee nasturtiums come in the prettiest shades of cherry and rosy red, which really pop against the bright green leaves. That color is also like a welcome mat for hummingbirds. Their mounding habit makes them ideal for filling in garden beds and containers.
Creamsicle
Creamsicle will give you flowers the color of orange sherbet with deem crimson throats (that’s the part of the flower where a hummingbird would stick its long beak).
Copper Sunset Nasturtium
Copper Sunset nasturtiums grow in a compact bush habit and produce warm copper-orange flowers that add rich color to garden beds, borders, and containers throughout the growing season.
WHEN TO PLANT NASTURTIUM SEEDS
The best time to begin planting nasturtium seeds is in spring, after any danger of frost has passed. These plants do best in cool to warm weather; they’re frost tender, which means they can handle light frosts but won’t push through freezing temperatures.
If you’d like to get a head start on your bloom time, you can start nasturtiums by seed about 3 weeks before your last frost date. In cooler climates, your nasturtiums should thrive throughout the summer, giving you months and months of blooms.
If you live in a warm climate, it’s best to hold off on planting more nasturtiums during your hot season. Established plants might survive the heat if they receive some afternoon shade and plenty of water. Wait until the beginning of fall to plant more seeds.
Make sure to plant at least 60 days before your first frost in the fall or winter so that you have enough time to enjoy some blossoms.
WHERE TO PLANT NASTURTIUMS
Nasturtiums are pretty versatile little plants when it comes to potential planting sites. You can grow them in raised beds, container gardens, grow bags, hanging baskets, large pots, and in-ground beds. I love to grow nasturtiums in my raised beds, where they thrive thanks to the well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Trialing nasturtiums look particularly lovely draped over the side of a raised bed. Just keep in mind those trailing stems can grow quite long and may spread, so if you’re limited on space, go for dwarf or bush types, which have a more compact growth habit. If you’re looking for good ground cover, definitely go for a bush type.
You’ll get the most blooms from your nasturtiums if you plant them in full sun to part shade. In a warmer climate, it’s best to give them afternoon shade if you’d like them to push into the hotter months of the year.
I tried to grow nasturtiums in a super sunny spot in the middle of summer in Central Texas (zones 8 & 9) once, and my poor leaves were wilted every single day. Now, I only plant my nasturtiums in raised vegetable garden beds that receive afternoon shade from the hot Texas sun.
BEST SOIL FOR GROWING NASTURTIUMS
When it comes to soil preferences, nasturtiums favor well-drained soil that is relatively poor to moderately fertile. Basically, you need enough nutrients in the soil to encourage healthy root development and overall plant growth, but over-fertilization can lead to excessive foliage growth and not enough blossoms. The leaves are great, but it’s really the flowers we want, right? So you just have to find the right balance.
HOW TO PLANT NASTURTIUM SEEDS STEP-BY-STEP
Nasturtiums are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed and are best planted directly in the garden. They have large seeds compared to most other things you might plant in your vegetable garden. I’ve seen them described as dried peas, but I think they look like dried up little brains. In any case, they’re super easy to handle and space out, which is great. Follow these three easy steps to plant nasturtiums by seed in your garden.
Step 1: Choose a Sunny Location with Well-Draining Soil
Nasturtiums grow best in a spot that receives full sun, though they can tolerate a little afternoon shade in very hot climates. Look for an area with well-draining soil, as these plants do not like soggy roots. One of the nice things about nasturtiums is that they actually thrive in average to slightly poor soil, so there’s no need to heavily fertilize the planting area.
If you’re planting in containers or hanging baskets, choose a pot with good drainage holes and fill it with a basic potting mix.
Step 2: Plant Nasturtium Seeds About ½–1 Inch Deep
Nasturtium seeds are fairly large and easy to handle, which makes planting them simple. Sow seeds directly into the soil about ½–1 inch deep, spacing them roughly 8–12 inches apart to give the plants room to spread.
If you’re growing a trailing variety in a hanging basket or container, you can plant several seeds around the edge of the pot so the vines will spill nicely over the sides as they grow.
Because nasturtiums dislike having their roots disturbed, direct sowing outdoors is usually better than starting seeds indoors.
Step 3: Water Gently and Keep the Soil Lightly Moist
After planting, give the area a gentle watering to help settle the soil around the seeds. Continue to keep the soil lightly moist while the seeds germinate, but avoid overwatering.
Under the right conditions, nasturtium seeds typically germinate within 7–10 days, though it can sometimes take up to two weeks depending on soil temperature. Once seedlings appear, you can gradually reduce watering and allow the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions.
Before long, your nasturtium plants will begin producing their signature round leaves and bright flowers, adding both beauty and pollinator activity to your garden.
HOW TO CARE FOR NASTURTIUM PLANTS
Once your nasturtium seeds have sprouted, these cheerful flowers require very little maintenance. Nasturtiums are fast-growing plants, and you can usually expect to see blooms about 35–52 days after planting.
Follow these simple care tips to keep your plants healthy and encourage plenty of flowers throughout the season.
Water Nasturtiums When the Soil Begins to Dry
Water nasturtiums when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. While these plants are fairly drought tolerant, extended periods without water can stress them and reduce the number of blooms.
Avoid overwatering, as constantly wet soil can lead to root rot. Aim for consistently moist soil rather than soggy conditions.
Thin Seedlings to Give Plants Space to Grow
If your seedlings sprout close together, gently thin them out so each plant has enough room to develop. Proper spacing improves air circulation and allows the plants to grow stronger with fuller foliage and more flowers.
Use Fertilizer Sparingly
Nasturtiums typically grow well in average soil and do not require much fertilizer. If you choose to feed them, use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer such as Microlife’s Maximum Blooms to encourage flower production.
Avoid fertilizers that are high in nitrogen, as these tend to promote leafy growth rather than blooms.
Prevent Fungal Issues with Good Airflow
In humid climates, nasturtiums can sometimes develop fungal problems. To help prevent this, make sure plants have good airflow and avoid watering the leaves directly.
Instead, water at the base of the plant. If needed, an organic fungicide spray such as Arber Organic Fungicide can help manage fungal issues.
Watch for Garden Pests
Like many garden plants, nasturtiums can occasionally attract pests. If you notice insect damage on the leaves, you can treat the plants with an organic option such as Arber Organic BioInsecticide.
Regularly checking your plants will help you catch any pest problems early and keep your nasturtiums looking their best.
COMMON NASTURTIUM GROWING PROBLEMS (and How to Fix Them)
Even though nasturtiums are one of the easiest flowers to grow, occasional problems can still pop up in the garden. The good news is that most issues are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Here are a few common nasturtium growing problems and what you can do about them.
Yellowing Nasturtium Leaves
If your nasturtium leaves begin turning yellow, the most common cause is overwatering or poor soil drainage. Nasturtiums prefer soil that is slightly moist but not constantly wet.
Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry out between waterings, and make sure excess water can drain away easily. If you’re growing nasturtiums in containers, always choose a pot with good drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
Nasturtium Seeds Not Germinating
Poor germination is often caused by planting seeds too deeply or sowing them in soil that is still too cold. Nasturtium seeds should be planted about ½–1 inch deep and only after the danger of frost has passed.
For the best results, wait until the soil has started to warm up in spring. Warm soil helps nasturtium seeds sprout much faster and more reliably.
Wilting or Drooping Nasturtium Plants
Wilting plants are usually a sign of lack of water, intense heat, or root disturbance. During hot weather or dry spells, nasturtiums may need a little extra watering to stay healthy.
If plants have recently been transplanted, they may droop temporarily while they adjust to their new location. Keeping the soil lightly moist and providing temporary shade during extreme heat can help the plants recover more quickly.
HOW TO HARVEST AND USE NASTURTIUM FLOWERS
Harvest nasturtium flowers and leaves early in the morning for the best taste. Pick them gently to avoid damaging the plant. You can use the flowers as a garnish or incorporate them into salads and sandwiches for some extra peppery zing.
If you’re feeling adventurous, chop up some nasturtium leaves and toss them into an omelet or try them mixed into your favorite soft cheese.
At the end of the growing season, remove your nasturtium plants from the garden space once your first good freeze is in the forecast.
Nasturtiums are the garden’s version of low effort, high reward. Not only do they bring a splash of color to your garden space, their peppery flowers and leaves bring flavor to your plate—and they keep pesky bugs at bay, too.
I love nasturtiums
They are one of my favorite flowers to grow 🙂
Great post, I’ve added tons of these to my garden this year, I’m patiently waiting for blooms now.