Garden Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Also known as
Indian Cress, Greater Indian-Cress
Tropaeolum majus - Kerti Sarkantyúka by Takkk (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Light watering
Half-hardy
H3
RHS hardiness
-5°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
2.5m | Max | 1m |
30cm | Min | 50cm |
1 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium Overview
Tropaeolum majus is an annual species from the Tropaeolaceae family. It has a climbing habit, and will readily scramble up support or across the ground. This plant produces distinctive circular leaves with wavy edges, held on a central stalk attached to the leaf in the centre. Flowers are long spur structures and are typically red, orange or yellow in colour. Flowering occurs from summer-autumn and they are a popular garden choice, commonly known by the names Garden Nasturtium and just Nasturtium, which is a shared name for another genus, use with care! This plant has a wonderfully peppery taste. In Latin, nasturtium literally means "nose twist" and one of the easiest edible flowers to grow. Uses: Culinary, medicinal, cosmetic.
Common problems with Garden Nasturtium
Wilt - Infected plants yellow, wilt, and eventually die. Avoid overhead irrigation since these bacteria are easily spread in splashing water. Disinfect any tools used. Bacterial leaf spot - minimized by improving air circulation (thinning out the plants) and by avoiding overhead irrigation.
Garden Nasturtium Companion Plants
How to harvest Garden Nasturtium
Pick leaves, flowers and seeds when available.
How to propagate Garden Nasturtium
Seed
Sowing time best in summer/autumn. For faster sprout, soak seeds in some warm water overnight. Sowing depth should be around 10 - 12 mm.
Cuttings
You can propagate from seeds, cuttings or tubers in spring.
Tubers
Special features of Garden Nasturtium
Repels harmful insects
Repels aphids.
Wet sites
Attractive flowers
Attractive leaves
Attracts useful insects
Attracting hoverflies, which will destroy aphids. Also often used as a trap plant around vegetables, slugs and snails love them and you can keep them away from other plants!
Other uses of Garden Nasturtium
Hanging, border, edging, culinary, fragrance. Attracts humming birds in suitable geographical locations.
Edible
Leaves, flowers, seeds.
Medicinal
Cosmetic
Garden Annuals
Annuals are mostly, self seeders and flower every year giving you lots of bang for your buck.
Planting For Butterflies - Host/Food Plants
Include these plants in your garden for butterflies to hatch out caterpillars on.
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