Meet the Garden Nasturtium

Garden Nasturtium | Tropaeolum majus

How do you know it’s me?:

• I am an annual, but perennial in zones 9-11. Sometimes my growth habit is compact/bushy, other times it’s more like a ground cover (trailing/climbing types).

• My leaves are nearly circular in shape, with light-colored veins that radiate out from the center. They are alternate and can also have wavy edges.

• I have 5-petaled flowers with a funnel-shaped center.

How big do I grow?: 1’ - 10’ height and 1’ - 3’ spread.

Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun for the best blooming, though I grow in part shade, too.

Where I prefer to put my roots: Well-drained soil. I am tolerant of poor soils and drought.

Hardiness: Zone 2-11

Original home: I am native to South and Central America.

Colors: My bright flowers are usually shades of red, yellow, or orange. They can also be multi-colored.

When I bloom: Typically summer until frost. In warmer climates, I can bloom sporadically through the year.

Wildlife friends: Butterflies are attracted to me.

Flora Fun Facts: My flowers and leaves are edible! They have a subtle peppery taste and look (and taste) great on a salad.

More Info: Often seen growing among garden vegetables (where they help attract beneficial pollinators and can repel some harmful insects), the Garden Nasturtium adds a pop of bright color to a space, while its lily-pad-like leaves provide soil coverage.

• A member of the Tropaeolaceae family.

• Named due to my similar flavor to Watercress (Nasturtium officinale), which is actually in the Brassica family, along with broccoli, mustard greens, and kale.

• This plant will easily self-seed and spread its own. It is also capable of climbing to reach more sun.

• Easily grown outdoors by seed in late spring to early summer (after last frost date).

• When used as a salad additive, harvest the young leaves. Old leaves may have a bitter taste. The buds can also be used to season dishes (with a mustard oil taste).

• Garden Nasturtium is a great choice for vegetable gardens, border plantings, ground covers, and rock gardens.