Nasturtiums or Tropaeolum majus are also known as Indian Cress as the peppery leaves can be eaten. However, the best reason for growing Nasturtiums is the large volume of red, orange or yellow flowers you can get on a trailing plants that is planted in poor soil. Also they are so easy you need little help.

Description of Nasturtiums

• Nasturtiums are soft, fleshy plants with round, veined leaves.
• Flowers are generally single in small trumpet shapes coloured Red, orange and yellow.
• The plants will trail or spread over a distance during the summer and can be used for climbing or to trail over a wall.
• After the first frost plants turn into a mush but the tripod seeds can be collected or left as wild creature food.
• Nasturtiums flower in summer/autumn. Plants grow in mounds unless supported as climbers.

Cultivation Tips for Nasturtiums

• Grow from seed which are oval, pea sized capsules. The seed size makes them easy to handle and suitable for children to plant.
• Plant direct into the ground where you want the plants to flower.
• Nasturtiums produce 3 seeds per flower and self sow for next year. The spare seeds are eaten or rot<./li>
• Poor soil will encourage more nasturtium flowers. Rich soil encourages leafy growth.
• Do not bother fertilizing Nasturtiums
• Ideal for bedding, borders, tubs and containers.
• Flowers can be cut for unusual floral decorations.

Special Growing Tips for Nasturtiums

• Black fly, cabbage white butterfly and slugs appreciate a meal of Nasturtiums but do not let that put you off growing them.
• Flowers seeds and leaves are all edible and enhance a salad.
• Nasturtiums protect other plants from insects – or more likely act as the host for the insects
• You can trail your nasturtiums off a balcony by growing them in pots. Provide plenty of water.

Varieties, Species and Types of Nasturtiums

• There are 200 species of Tropaeolum but only 3 or 4 in cultivation as flowering Nasturtium being Tropaeolum majus, Tropaeolum peregrinum and Tropaeolum speciosum.
• Nasturtium Double Gleam looks double due to the frills on the petals.
• There are many varieties of Nasturtium sold by seed merchants in single colours or mixtures.
• Nasturtium ‘Banana Split’ Tropaeolum minus, is an eye-catching nasturtium with golden-petalled flowers that fade to lemon as the season progresses
• Tropaeolum speciosum the Flame Nasturtium, Flame Flower, Flame Creeper is a hardy perennial with spurred blooms in bright red throughout summer followed by spherical blue fruits set against a backdrop of attractive dark green foliage.

Horticulture Sources and Advice

• True Nasturtium plants are water cress, garden cress and mustard with a peppery, pungent flavor. They should not be confused with flowering nasturtiums which are from the genus Tropaeolum.
• You can often obtain seeds or plants from our mail order company of choice Thompson & Morgan
• More tips on growing Nasturtiums
• More Intensly coloured Nasturtiums