Learn how to grow nasturtiums, the easy edible flowers with peppery flavor. This beginner guide covers varieties, planting, care, and how to use these versatile plants in cooking and pest control.
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Last updated: May 6, 2026
SG
Sarah Green
Horticulturist and garden expert with 15+ years of experience growing vegetables, herbs, and houseplants. Certified Master Gardener.
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Introduction to Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are the perfect multitasker for any garden. These cheerful, easy-to-grow flowers are entirely edible, attractive to pollinators, and even help protect your vegetables from pests. Native to the Andes Mountains of Peru, nasturtiums were prized by the ancient Incas as both food and medicine.
The name "nasturtium" comes from Latin meaning "nose-twister," describing the plant's peppery bite similar to watercress. Spanish conquistadors brought nasturtiums to Europe around 1500, and Thomas Jefferson was growing them at Monticello by 1774.
Why Grow Nasturtiums?
Completely Edible
Every above-ground part is edible: flowers, leaves, and even immature seed pods (pickled as "poor man's capers").
Easy to Grow
Nasturtiums thrive in poor soil where other plants struggle. In fact, rich soil produces fewer flowers!
Natural Pest Control
Use them as trap crops to lure aphids away from vegetables, or as companion plants to deter pests.
Beautiful Colors
Flowers range from cream and yellow through orange to deep red and mahogany, often with contrasting markings.
Nutritious
High in vitamin C, iron, and manganese. Contains the highest lutein content of any edible plant—important for eye health.
Long Bloom Season
From early summer until frost, providing months of color and harvest.
Understanding Nasturtium Types
By Growth Habit
Trailing/Climbing Types:
Feature
Details
Length
6-10 feet
Growth
Vining, scrambling
Uses
Trellises, hanging baskets, ground cover
Examples
Tall Trailing Mix, Spitfire
Compact/Bush Types:
Feature
Details
Height
12-18 inches
Growth
Mounding
Uses
Borders, containers, edging
Examples
Jewel Mix, Alaska, Tom Thumb
Popular Varieties
Variety
Type
Features
Alaska Mix
Compact
Variegated cream/green foliage
Empress of India
Compact
Blue-green leaves, scarlet flowers
Jewel Mix
Compact
Multiple colors, long bloom
Whirlybird
Compact
Upward-facing, spurless flowers
Tall Trailing Mix
Trailing
Classic vining type
Black Velvet
Compact
Deep burgundy, almost black
Basic Care Requirements
Light
Light Level
Performance
Full sun
Best flowering
Part shade
Good foliage, fewer flowers
Hot climates
Afternoon shade beneficial
Soil
Factor
Requirement
Type
Any well-draining
Fertility
Poor to average—NOT rich
pH
6.0-7.5 (adaptable)
Key
Don't fertilize!
Important: Rich soil and fertilizer produce lush foliage but few flowers. Nasturtiums actually prefer poor soil.
Watering
Situation
Approach
Newly planted
Keep moist
Established
Drought tolerant
Hot weather
Water when wilted
Containers
More frequent
Temperature
Factor
Range
Germination
55-65°F (optimum)
Growing
50-85°F (ideal 55-75°F)
Frost tolerance
None—killed by frost
Heat
May slow in extreme heat
Planting Nasturtiums
From Seed (Recommended)
Step
Details
Timing
After last frost
Soaking
Optional—24 hours in water
Depth
1/2 to 1 inch
Spacing
8-12 inches
Germination
7-14 days
Direct Sowing (Preferred):
Nasturtiums have fragile roots that resent transplanting. Direct sowing is easiest and most successful.
Starting Indoors
Step
Details
Timing
2-4 weeks before last frost
Container
Peat pots (to avoid root disturbance)
Temperature
60-65°F
Transplant
Very carefully, minimizing root disturbance
Spacing Guide
Type
Spacing
Bush/Compact
8-12 inches
Trailing
12-18 inches
Ground cover
12-24 inches
Growing Through the Season
Early Season Care
Task
Details
Thin seedlings
When 3-4 inches tall
Water
Keep moist until established
No fertilizer
Resist the urge!
Mid-Season
Task
Details
Water
When soil dries
Harvest
Pick flowers and leaves regularly
Watch for aphids
Use as trap crop
Late Season
Task
Details
Continue harvest
Until frost
Save seeds
Allow some to dry on plant
Remove
After killing frost
Container Growing
Nasturtiums excel in containers:
Container Requirements
Factor
Specification
Size
8+ inches deep
Drainage
Essential
Soil
Regular potting mix
Fertilizer
None or very light
Best Container Types
Type
Best Varieties
Hanging baskets
Trailing types
Window boxes
Compact varieties
Large pots
Either type
Mixed containers
Compact as filler
Nasturtiums as Trap Crops
How It Works
Concept
Details
Principle
Aphids prefer nasturtiums over vegetables
Placement
4-6 feet from crops being protected
Timing
Plant before pest problems start
Benefit
Also attracts beneficial insects
Companion Planting
Partner
Benefit
Cucumbers
Deters cucumber beetles
Squash
Deters squash bugs
Cabbage family
Trap for aphids, flea beetles
Beans
General pest deterrent
Tomatoes
Aphid and whitefly trap
Attracting Beneficials
Insect
Role
Ladybugs
Eat aphids
Hoverflies
Larvae eat aphids
Lacewings
Eat various pests
Parasitic wasps
Control caterpillars
Eating Nasturtiums
Flowers
Use
Tips
Salads
Pick fresh, remove green parts
Garnish
Colorful decoration
Stuffed
Fill with cream cheese
Flavor
Peppery, like watercress
Leaves
Use
Tips
Salads
Young leaves are mildest
Sandwiches
Layer like lettuce
Pesto
Blend with nuts, oil, cheese
Cooked
Sautéed like spinach
Seeds (Green)
Use
Tips
"Capers"
Pickle in vinegar and salt
Harvest
When green and tender
Brine
2 weeks in salt/vinegar
Common Problems and Solutions
Aphids (Expected!)
Sign
Management
Black clusters
This is the trap crop working
Remove
Pick off infested parts
Spray
Strong water blast
Benefit
Attracts ladybugs
Caterpillars
Type
Treatment
Cabbage worms
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)
Loopers
Hand-pick, Bt
Prevention
Row covers on seedlings
Few Flowers
Cause
Solution
Rich soil
Move to poorer location
Fertilizer
Stop fertilizing
Too much shade
More sun needed
Yellow Leaves
Cause
Solution
Normal aging
Remove old leaves
Overwatering
Reduce water
Nutrient deficiency
Light compost if severe
Saving Seeds
Step
Details
Selection
Leave best flowers to seed
Maturity
Seeds turn brown and fall
Collection
Gather before they scatter
Storage
Paper envelope, cool, dry
Viability
3-5 years
Seasonal Timeline
Season
Activity
Spring
Direct sow after last frost
Early Summer
First flowers appear
Mid-Summer
Peak bloom, regular harvest
Late Summer
Continue harvesting, seed saving
Fall
Harvest until frost kills plants
Quick Care Summary
Aspect
Requirement
Light
Full sun to part shade
Soil
Poor to average, well-drained
Water
Low once established
Fertilizer
None!
Maintenance
Very low
Edibility
Entirely edible
Pest role
Trap crop and companion plant
Nasturtiums offer unbeatable value: easy to grow, beautiful to look at, delicious to eat, and helpful for pest control. They're the perfect flower for any gardener.
