How to grow Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus · Indian cress, garden nasturtium

An easy annual in trailing and compact bushy forms, with round leaves and spurred red, orange, yellow or cream flowers from late spring until frost. Leaves, flowers and seeds are edible with a peppery taste; it is not toxic to cats and dogs.

Quick facts

Type	Flower
Family	Tropaeolaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil pH	6–7
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for sowing	from 10 °C
Germination	10 days
Seedlings ready	28 days
Where it grows	Greenhouse, Open ground, At home

When to plant

Sow for seedlings about 5 weeks before planting out.

Plant out in open ground about a week after your last spring frost, once the soil is warm.

In an unheated greenhouse everything moves about three weeks earlier.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Greenhouse

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Seedlings	every 2 days	—	—
Growth	every 4 days	—	—
Flowering	every 4 days	—	—

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Seedlings	every 2 days	—	—
Growth	every 7 days	—	—
Flowering	every 7 days	—	—

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Seedlings	every 2 days	—	—
Growth	every 3 days	—	—
Flowering	every 3 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Full sun; in partial shade it flowers poorly. Light afternoon shade helps in hot summers.

Soil

Poor to average, well-drained, slightly acid soil. Rich or fertilised soil gives lush leaves and few flowers.

Care

Sow outdoors about 1.5 cm deep and 25–30 cm apart once frost has passed, or in individual pots 4–6 weeks before the last frost; soaking the seed for a few hours helps, and seedlings appear in 7–10 days. Do not feed except on very poor soil. Water regularly through the season, although it tolerates some drought. Pick or deadhead the flowers to keep them coming. Watch for aphids, cabbage white caterpillars and whiteflies.

Pests and diseases of Nasturtium

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.