Planting and care
How to grow nasturtium
Warm season · Annual
Direct seed after frost or carefully transplant without disturbing roots
About 10–15 in tall with vines trailing 1–3 ft, cultivar-dependent
Leaves: about 30–40 days from seed; flowers: about 55–70 days.
Light feeder
Pollinator Trailing
How to prune
Trim overlong trailing stems just above a leaf node and remove faded flowers. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which makes foliage at the expense of blooms.
How to harvest
Pick young leaves and newly opened flowers from correctly identified edible, unsprayed plants. Clip stems rather than tearing vines; rinse gently and use promptly.
Harvest and kitchen use
Leaves and flowers of properly identified, unsprayed garden nasturtiums are edible and peppery
Nutrition and garden value
Edible flowers and leaves provide small amounts of vitamin C and add color and flavor
Provides a trailing flowering edge and floral resources for pollinators and beneficial insects
Common challenges and troubleshooting
Aphids, cabbageworms and heat-related decline; overly rich soil can produce leaves with fewer flowers
Safety note
Use only correctly identified, pesticide-free edible plants; seeds should not be eaten in large quantities