Nasturtiums are a gardener’s dream vibrant, versatile, and easy to grow. Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned pro, nasturtiums bring a unique charm to your garden with their bold, cheerful blooms and edible leaves and flowers. These low-maintenance plants are also a secret weapon for pest control and pollinator attraction, making them an essential addition to any garden.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing nasturtiums, from choosing the right variety to keeping them healthy and productive. Let’s dive into the colorful world of nasturtiums!

Why Should You Grow Nasturtiums?

Nasturtiums aren’t just eye-catching they’re practical, too! Here’s why they’re worth growing:

• Visual Appeal: Nasturtiums come in a rainbow of colors, from fiery oranges to buttery yellows, making them a standout in any garden.
• Edible and Delicious: Their peppery leaves and flowers are perfect for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes, combining beauty with flavor.
• Natural Pest Control: Nasturtiums repel pests like aphids, squash bugs, and whiteflies, protecting your more delicate plants.
• Pollinator Magnets: The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, boosting productivity in vegetable gardens.
• Hardy and Resilient: These low-maintenance plants thrive in poor soil, making them ideal for beginners or challenging garden spots.

Choosing the Right Nasturtium

Nasturtiums come in two main types, each suited to different gardening needs:

1. Climbing Nasturtiums

These vigorous growers send out long vines that can reach up to 10 feet. They’re ideal for vertical gardening and can transform fences, trellises, or walls into lush, colorful displays.

• Perfect for: Trellises, fences, and garden arches.
• Popular varieties: ‘Jewel of Africa,’ ‘Tall Climbing Mix.’

2. Bush Nasturtiums

Compact and tidy, bush nasturtiums grow in mounds and are perfect for borders, container gardens, or ground cover.

• Perfect for: Small spaces, containers, or edging.
• Popular varieties: ‘Alaska Mix,’ ‘Whirlybird.’

When to Plant

Nasturtiums thrive in warm weather. Sow seeds outdoors after the last frost, or start them indoors 4–6 weeks before. For continuous blooms, stagger your planting every 2–3 weeks.

Where to Plant

• Light: Full sun is best, but nasturtiums can tolerate light shade.
• Soil: Surprisingly, they prefer poor, well-drained soil. Fertile soil encourages leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

How to Plant

1. Prepare the Soil: Loosen the top layer and ensure good drainage. Skip the fertilizer—it’s not needed.
2. Sow the Seeds: Plant about ½ inch deep and 10–12 inches apart. If growing climbing varieties, install supports like trellises or netting at the time of planting.
3. Water: Water thoroughly after planting, keeping the soil moist until seedlings emerge.

Watering

Nasturtiums are drought-tolerant, but consistent watering ensures vibrant blooms. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can cause root rot.

Fertilizing

Avoid fertilizers! Excess nutrients can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers. These plants thrive on neglect.

Pruning and Maintenance

• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.
• Pest and Disease Management: Nasturtiums deter many pests but can occasionally attract aphids. A spray of water or neem oil usually resolves the issue.

Companion Planting with Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are fantastic companion plants. Their peppery scent repels pests like aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans. Plus, their flowers attract pollinators that increase yields in your garden.

Growing Nasturtiums in Containers

For small spaces or patios, nasturtiums thrive in containers. Use a pot with good drainage, fill it with well-draining soil, and place it in a sunny spot. Bush varieties like ‘Alaska Mix’ are ideal for container gardening, while climbing varieties can create stunning hanging displays.

Flowers and Leaves

• Flowers: Snip fresh blooms for salads, cocktails, or garnishes.
• Leaves: Harvest young, tender leaves for their peppery flavor.

Seeds

At the end of the season, collect seeds from spent blooms. Dry them thoroughly and store them in a cool, dark place for next year’s planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the benefits of growing nasturtiums in my garden?
A: Nasturtiums are visually stunning with their vibrant blooms, and they offer practical benefits like natural pest control, attracting pollinators, and providing edible leaves and flowers. They thrive in poor soil, require little maintenance, and are perfect for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

Q: How do I choose the right variety of nasturtium for my garden?
A: Nasturtiums come in two types: climbing and bush. Climbing varieties, like ‘Jewel of Africa’ and ‘Tall Climbing Mix,’ are ideal for vertical gardens, fences, and trellises. Bush varieties, such as ‘Alaska Mix’ and ‘Whirlybird,’ are compact and great for small spaces, borders, or containers.

Q: When is the best time to plant nasturtiums?
A: Plant nasturtiums after the last frost, or start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last expected frost. For continuous blooms, stagger planting every 2–3 weeks to ensure your garden remains vibrant throughout the growing season.

Q: Do nasturtiums need special care or fertilizers?
A: Nasturtiums thrive on minimal care. They prefer poor, well-drained soil and don’t require fertilizers. Over-fertilizing can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Water consistently, but avoid overwatering as soggy soil can cause root rot.

Q: Can I grow nasturtiums in containers?
A: Yes, nasturtiums grow beautifully in containers. Bush varieties like ‘Alaska Mix’ are perfect for pots, while climbing varieties can create stunning hanging displays. Just ensure the container has good drainage and is placed in a sunny spot.

Final Thoughts: Why Nasturtiums Deserve a Spot in Your Garden

Nasturtiums are the ultimate garden multitaskers beautifying, protecting, and feeding you! Whether you want a splash of color, natural pest control, or edible blooms, these hardy plants deliver on every front. Best of all, they’re low-maintenance and perfect for beginners.

Ready to get started? Grab a pack of nasturtium seeds and add a touch of cheerful, easy-to-grow charm to your garden today!