Nasturtium
Tropaeolum
Nasturtium blooms from June through September.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Nasturtium
Plant it in full sun. It prefers low water. Expect it to reach about 12 in tall and 1.6 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 1 year.
When to plant Nasturtium
Wait until all danger of frost has passed, then plant out Nasturtium into warm soil; in most zones that means late spring. Planted then, it flowers from June to September.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar.
Comes in 6 varieties across 4 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Nasturtium
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
Rich, high-nitrogen soil and fertilizer push lush leaves at the expense of flowers: 'all leaves, no blooms.' Poor, lean soil gives the most bloom. per NC State
Water: drought-tough or thirsty?
Sources split: some call it drought-tough, others say regular water during growth drives the strongest bloom. Established plants survive dry spells, but water moderately for flowers. per NC State and Wisconsin
Bloom slows in summer heat
In cool, northern gardens it blooms from late spring until frost. In hot, southern summers bloom slows or stops at peak heat; light afternoon shade helps. per NC State and Clemson
The whole plant is edible
Every part but the roots is edible: leaves, buds, flowers and young seed pods, with a peppery, mustard flavor. The green pods pickle as 'poor man's capers.' per Illinois and Wisconsin
Aphid trap crop
Planted near brassicas, squash and pumpkins, it lures aphids and cabbageworms onto itself and off your vegetables. Pull heavily infested plants to remove the pests. per University of Minnesota
Deer resistant, not deer-proof
NC State lists it deer resistant, credited to the peppery mustard oils. Resistance is not immunity: young plants can still be browsed when other forage is scarce. per NC State
Feeds bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
It draws bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Nectar sits deep in a long spur behind each flower, favoring long-tongued visitors like hummingbirds, with bees and butterflies also feeding. per NC State and Clemson
What pairs well with Nasturtium
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Rock Cress
Shares full sun and low water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 4 in, for the front of the border.
Rosemary
Shares full sun and low water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Sea Thrift
Shares full sun and low water; opens in mid spring and overlaps into this one's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border.
Globe Thistle
Shares full sun and low water; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; both offer pollinator forage; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Fountain Grass
Shares full sun and low water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Switchgrass
Shares full sun and low water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 4.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Pampas Grass
Shares full sun and low water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; stands well above at 8.2 ft, a canopy to plant beneath.
Viburnum
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; stands well above at 6.6 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Featured in these guides
Explore similar plants
You might also like
Design a garden with this
Drop this plant onto a 3D plan, see how it fills in, and watch your whole garden bloom across the year.