We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Environment

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Nasturtiums?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 10,702
Share

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are cheerful yellow, orange, and sometimes red flowers that grow on large creeping vines which will readily overtake any available surface. Found growing all over the world, nasturtiums are naturally pest resistant and delicious: the leaves and flowers of the plant can be eaten, and have a spicy flavor which goes well with a variety of dishes. Nasturtiums are also very easy to grow, and a natural choice for many gardeners who want an attractive, low maintenance plant.

Nasturtiums are extraordinarily hardy: they will grow as annuals in Zones 3-9, and will be perennial in Zones 10-11. In an annual form, nasturtiums will explode with foliage and flowers in the spring, and then die off in the fall. The dead foliage can be trimmed away or left, depending on taste, and because the plants naturally reseed, they will appear again in the same spot the next year. Perennially, nasturtiums will retain their green foliage year round and bloom in the spring and summer. In both cases, nasturtiums will spread readily and resist pests like insects and slugs.

The leaves of the nasturtium are often compared to lily pads. They are round, bright green, and attached to the thick, trailing stems of the parent plant. The five petaled flowers come in a range of colors, but all of them have a faintly spicy scent and flavor, along with a velvety texture. Gardeners who would like to encourage their nasturtiums to bloom can withhold water; water starved plants produce far more flowers.

In addition to spreading rapidly, nasturtiums can also be destructive. They should not be planted close to homes or along fence lines, as they are capable of ripping the siding from a house and dismantling a fence. The determined flowers will also reappear year after year whether or not they are wanted. These colorful flowers should be planted with extreme care.

Nasturtium flowers can be used in cakes, salads, and savory dishes. The leaves are an excellent addition to salad mixes, and both are very high in vitamin C, providing nutrition as well as color and flavor. They can also be used as decorations in floral bouquets and wreaths. The bright color of the flowers is also an excellent bird attractant, and hummingbirds in particular seem to enjoy nasturtiums. Migratory butterflies also sometimes take advantage of large patches of nasturtiums for food and shelter.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All Things Nature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
By anon158578 — On Mar 07, 2011

I'm intrigued that nasturtiums "are capable of ripping the siding from a house and dismantling a fence". Doesn't sound like any nasturtium I've ever seen - but I'd really like to see photos.

By mentirosa — On Jul 25, 2008

Nasturtium has been used in salads for a very long time. The young leaves have a peppery taste and are good, flavorful addition to lettuce such as butter head. Fresh leaves can be used in sandwiches also. Since nasturtium flowers are edible also, they can be added to salads, however, they have less flavor then leaves do.

Nasturtium does rather well in poor, sandy soil.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-are-nasturtiums.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.