🌼 Nasturtium: Growing Guide
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at 5–27 °C (41–81 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart. Expect 50–60 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Tropaeolum majus |
|---|---|
| Category | Edible Flowers |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 30 cm (12 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 5–27 °C (41–81 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 50–60 days |
| Sowing depth | 1 cm (0.4 in) |
| Height | 25–200 cm (9.8–79 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | |||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Feb–Mar, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb, Aug · Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Apr–May, Sep.
Watering
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate, tolerates drought.
Growing tips
The whole plant is edible: leaves, flowers and seeds. Vivid colors. Tough.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Nasturtium: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jul. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Nasturtium: how often should I water it?
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate, tolerates drought.
Nasturtium: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 30 cm (12 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 1 cm (0.4 in).
Nasturtium: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 50–60 days.
Nasturtium: which plants grow well with it?
Tomato, Cucumber, Squash.
Plan your garden
Add Nasturtium to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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