Growing nasturtium from seed is one of those tasks that seems like it should be difficult. Just look at them—those lily-like, cup-shaped leaves cascading gracefully from a glazed pot, vibrant flowers floating just above the foliage. Surely this must be a high-maintenance plant.
But I’m here to tell you the opposite. Nasturtiums are among the easiest, lowest-maintenance flowers you can grow. In the words of Sammy Kershaw, “She don’t know she’s beautiful.” Nasturtium has a kind of effortless beauty—one that thrives without fuss and, as you’ll soon learn, actually gets a little irritated when you try too hard.
In this article, we’ll walk through exactly how to grow nasturtiums from seed, why they perform best when left mostly alone, and how to grow them successfully in both garden beds and pots.
Although they look like they should be high-maintenance, nasturtiums are surprisingly easy to grow—perfect for beginner and experienced gardeners alike.
Why Grow Nasturtium
Nasturtiums earn their place in the garden by being both beautiful and remarkably easy to grow. Started from seed, they germinate quickly, grow reliably, and ask very little in return. In fact, they tend to perform best when you don’t fuss over them—making them a great choice for new gardeners and seasoned growers alike.
Beyond their ornamental appeal, nasturtiums are surprisingly useful. They thrive in lean soil where many other plants struggle, work beautifully in containers and garden beds, and make excellent companion plants for vegetables like squash and melons. Their round leaves and vivid flowers add color early in the season and often surge late, filling in gaps just when the garden starts to look tired.
As a bonus, nasturtiums are entirely edible. Both the leaves and flowers have a pleasant, peppery bite that works well in salads, as garnishes, or anywhere you want a pop of color and flavor. When a plant looks this good, grows this easily, and earns its keep in the kitchen, it’s hard to find a reason not to grow it.
Nasturtiums ask little of the gardener and give so much in return—they're beautiful, they attract beneficial insects, and they can even be eaten on salads!
Our Favorite Nasturtium Varieties
Nasturtiums come in a wide range of growth habits, foliage colors, and flower forms, but a few varieties have consistently earned a place in our garden. Some shine for their dramatic foliage, others for compact growth or playful color changes, but all of these perform reliably from seed and deliver the effortless beauty nasturtiums are known for.
Here are the varieties we reach for year after year:
- Empress of India—A true classic, Empress of India is prized for its deep blue-green foliage and rich crimson flowers. The contrast is striking, especially when grown in containers or allowed to trail over the edge of a bed.
- Alaska—Grown as much for its foliage as its flowers, Alaska features boldly variegated leaves that add interest even before the first blooms appear. It performs especially well in cooler conditions and makes a great choice for mixed plantings.
- Whirlybird—A compact, bush-type nasturtium with upright, open flowers. Whirlybird is ideal for edging beds or growing in smaller containers where trailing varieties might feel unruly.
- Chameleon—A delightful mix that produces flowers in a shifting palette of warm colors. Each plant offers a little surprise, making Chameleon a fun choice for gardeners who enjoy variety and visual interest.
From trailing to compact forms, these varieties cover a wide range of uses in both the garden and in pots. Next, we’ll look at how to plant nasturtium seeds to give them the simple start they prefer.
Alaska is a unique nasturtium variety that boasts beautiful flowers and stunning variegated leaves.
How to Plant Nasturtium Seeds
Nasturtiums are best grown by direct sowing, and they don’t require much preparation to succeed. In fact, the more simply you approach this step, the better they tend to perform.
When to plant:
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Sow outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed slightly. They prefer cool-to-moderate temperatures and often establish more reliably when planted earlier rather than later.
- Plant in full sun to partial shade and, most importantly, lean soil. Avoid heavily amended beds and rich compost. Nasturtiums don’t need fertile ground to thrive, and too much nutrition will work against flowering later on.
- Plant seeds about ½ to 1 inch deep and space them 8–12 inches apart, depending on the variety. Trailing types appreciate a little extra room to sprawl, while compact forms can be planted more closely.
- Nasturtium seeds have a hard outer coat. Soaking them in water for 8–12 hours before planting can speed up germination, but it isn’t strictly necessary. If you’re planting into cool or dry soil, soaking can give them a helpful head start.
- Water thoroughly after sowing, then ease up. Keep the soil lightly moist until seedlings emerge, but avoid constant watering. Nasturtiums prefer soil that dries slightly between waterings, even at this early stage.
Once established, seedlings grow steadily on their own with very little intervention. From here, whether you’re growing in the garden or in containers, success comes down to letting nasturtiums do what they do best—grow on their own terms.
| Why Aren't My Nasturtium Producing Flowers |
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When nasturtiums fail to flower, the cause is almost always excess. Too much water, too many nutrients, or—in some cases—too much shade can keep the plant focused on producing leaves instead of blooms. Rich soil and frequent watering encourage lush, leafy growth, while added fertilizer (especially nitrogen) can suppress flowering altogether. Nasturtiums are at their best when conditions are a little lean. Cutting back on water, skipping fertilizer, and giving plants adequate sun is usually enough to shift them from foliage to flowers. |
When nasturtiums fail to flower, it's usually a case of too much attention rather than too little. Too much fertilizer or water can encourage vegetative growth at the expense of blooms.
Growing Nasturtium in Pots
Nasturtiums are exceptionally well suited to container growing—but only if you resist the urge to spoil them. Rich soil and attentive care often lead to lush foliage and very few flowers.
I learned this the hard way with Empress of India. One season, I planted it in a beautiful blue glazed pot, filled with a high-quality potting mix. I imagined dark blue-green foliage cascading over the rim, offset by deep crimson flowers. What I got was exactly half of that vision: a gorgeous mass of trailing leaves… and by the time frost arrived, exactly one flower. It turns out the Empress doesn’t care for royal treatment.
Since then, I’ve learned that nasturtiums perform best in lean conditions, especially in containers. A few simple guidelines make all the difference:
- Use lean soil. Reused potting soil from last season works well. Avoid rich mixes and fertilizer, which encourage leaves at the expense of flowers.
- Ensure good drainage. Wide pots work well. Nasturtiums don’t need deep pots, but they do appreciate room to spread.
- Water sparingly. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Mild stress encourages better flowering.
- Be patient early. Nasturtiums often grow and flower slowly at first, then surge later in the season as temperatures cool.
They also grow surprisingly well when tucked in among heavier-feeding plants. This year, I grew nasturtiums in a whiskey barrel alongside beets and a cauliflower, and they thrived. The surrounding plants absorbed most of the nutrients, leaving conditions just lean enough for the nasturtiums to flourish.
If your goal is flowers rather than foliage, containers—and even mixed plantings—can work in your favor, as long as you keep things simple and mostly hands-off.
Nasturtiums take a little longer to flower, so be patient. Here, our first Chameleon flower peeks out from beneath the foliage.
What to Plant with Nasturtium
Nasturtiums earn their keep in the garden not just as ornamentals, but as excellent companion plants. Their sprawling habit makes good use of open soil early in the season, and they coexist especially well with crops that have higher nutrient demands.
Some of the best companions for nasturtiums include:
- Cucurbits (squash, melons, cucumbers)—Nasturtiums can be tucked between hills early in the season, filling space while vines are still small. Later, after the cucurbits have finished, nasturtiums often take off, turning what would otherwise be a tangle of declining vines into something lush and attractive. They’re also commonly reported to deter pests like squash bugs and striped cucumber beetles.
- Cabbage family crops—Nasturtiums pair well with cabbage, cauliflower, and other brassicas. Their presence is often associated with reduced aphid pressure, and their spreading growth helps shade soil and suppress weeds.
- Radishes—Radishes and nasturtiums share similar growing conditions and timing. Radishes mature quickly, while nasturtiums fill in afterward, making efficient use of garden space.
Used this way, nasturtiums are less of a stand-alone flower and more of a supporting player—one that improves both the look and function of the garden.
Nasturtium are known companions to cucurbits, cabbage-family crops, and radishes, but they get along well with virtually anything. Here we're growing them in a container with beets.
Nasturtium in the Kitchen
Nasturtiums are more than just a pretty face in the garden—they’re entirely edible and surprisingly versatile in the kitchen. Both the leaves and flowers have a mild, peppery flavor, often compared to arugula, making them easy to incorporate into everyday dishes.
The flowers are the showstoppers. Their bright colors make beautiful garnishes for salads, cheese boards, and summer dishes, but they’re more than decorative. The flavor is gentle enough to complement fresh greens without overpowering them.
The leaves are equally useful. Young leaves are tender and work well mixed into salads or chopped and added to sandwiches and wraps. Larger leaves have a stronger bite and hold up nicely when used more sparingly, much like mustard greens.
One of my favorite things about growing nasturtiums is how naturally they bridge the gap between ornamental and edible gardening. You just tuck them in wherever you have space and enjoy them however you want—whether that be for their looks or their flavor.
Nasturtium flowers make a beautiful and tasty addition to salads, imparting a unique peppery flavor.
How to Save Nasturtium Seeds
Saving nasturtium seeds is simple and well worth doing. Nasturtiums produce large, easy-to-handle seeds and, unlike many garden plants, don’t require any special isolation to save seed for home use.
As the season winds down, allow a few healthy plants to mature fully. After flowering, the seeds will form at the base of the spent blooms. When they’re ready, the seeds become large, pale green, and begin to loosen from the plant. At this stage, you can gently pluck them by hand or collect those that fall naturally to the soil.
Once harvested, spread the seeds out in a single layer and allow them to dry completely in a warm, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. After drying, store them in a labeled envelope or jar in a cool, dry location. Properly stored nasturtium seeds remain viable for several years.
Nasturtiums also have a habit of self-sowing. If you leave a few seeds behind, you may find volunteers popping up the following season—an added bonus for gardeners who enjoy a little surprise in the spring.
Saving nasturtium seeds is easy. Simply wait for the flowers to mature and then collect the large, wrinkled seeds.
Final Thoughts
Nasturtiums are one of those rare plants that reward restraint. They don’t need rich soil, constant watering, or careful tending—in fact, they tend to push back when given too much attention. Give them modest growing conditions, some sunlight, and a bit of patience, and they’ll repay you with cascading foliage, vibrant flowers, and steady late-season beauty.
Whether you grow them in pots, tuck them among vegetables, or let them wander through the garden, nasturtiums earn their keep in more ways than one. They’re ornamental, edible, useful, and remarkably forgiving—proof that sometimes the most beautiful plants are the ones that thrive when we step out of the way.
Ready to grow your own? Check out our collection of heirloom nasturtium seeds along with some of their favorite companion plants.
