How to Grow Nasturtium
Annual
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a fast-growing, warm-season annual prized for its bright, spurred blossoms in shades of orange, red, yellow, and cream, plus round, lily-pad leaves. US home gardeners grow it because it is easy from seed, thrives in lean soil where other flowers sulk, and offers edible flowers and leaves with a peppery, watercress-like flavor. It comes in tidy bush forms and long trailing or climbing forms, so there is a type for almost any spot.
Planting
Nasturtiums resent root disturbance, so the easiest method is to direct sow the large seeds right where they will grow, once the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Choose a spot in full sun, at least 6 hours a day, though plants tolerate light afternoon shade in hot regions. Plant seeds about 1/2 to 1 inch deep in average to poor, well-drained soil, and thin or space plants roughly 10 to 12 inches apart for bush types, giving trailing types more room to run. Soaking the seeds overnight speeds germination, which usually takes 7 to 14 days; gardeners with short seasons can start seeds indoors 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost in peat or paper pots that go straight into the ground.
Care
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, aiming for steady but moderate moisture, since soggy ground invites rot. Go easy on feeding: nasturtiums bloom best in lean soil, and rich or heavily fed ground produces lush leaves at the expense of flowers. Pinch off spent blooms to keep new buds coming, and give climbing or trailing varieties a trellis, fence, or wall to scramble up or let them spill from containers and hanging baskets. In midsummer heat the plants may slow and look tired, so shear them back lightly and keep them watered, and they will often rebound and flower again as temperatures ease into fall.
Bloom time
Nasturtiums begin blooming early in the season, roughly 5 to 7 weeks after sowing, and flower continuously from early summer until the first hard frost in most of the country. In hot climates flowering may pause during the peak of summer and pick back up in cooler weather.
Garden uses
They shine as cut flowers, edging plants, and fillers in borders, containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets, with trailing types draping nicely over walls. Nasturtiums also draw bees and other pollinators, and gardeners often plant them near vegetables as a companion that lures aphids away from prized crops.
Tips
Resist the urge to pamper them; poor soil and no extra feeding give you far more flowers than a pampered, overfed plant. Because they dislike transplanting, sow directly when you can, and if starting indoors use pots that break down in the ground so roots stay undisturbed. Nasturtiums often self-seed and return the next year, and both the flowers and young leaves are edible, adding a peppery bite to salads.
General guidance for US gardens. Timing and hardiness vary by region; check your local frost dates and hardiness zone. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.