garden nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

vine☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate waterZone 2a – Zone 11b

A vigorous climbing or trailing vine with round leaves and vibrant orange, red, or yellow edible flowers. Easy to grow and popular for adding color to trellises, containers, and garden beds.

Overview

Form: Spreading
Growth Rate: fast
Size: 1–10′ tall × 1–6′ wide
Dormancy: deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

Zone 2aZone 11b

1471013

ColderWarmer

Seasonality

Bloom Season

Harvest Season

Season of Interest

SummerFall

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

South America (Peru)

Function & Care

dynamic accumulatorediblepollinator nectarywildlife benefit

Edible Parts

leafflowerseedpod

Establishment & Care

Establishment: easy
Maintenance: low
Years to Bearing: 0 years
Propagation: seed

Companion Planting

Plants well with

tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Nasturtium acts as a trap crop for aphids and repels whiteflies, reducing pest pressure on nearby tomato plants. The pungent volatile compounds deter thrips and spider mites.

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary's volatile oils (camphor, borneol) are reported to repel bean beetles and cabbage loopers; nasturtium also repels these pests, creating a complementary deterrent layer.

cabbage, broccoli, and allies

Brassica oleracea

Nasturtium acts as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from brassicas. It also attracts beneficial predatory insects that consume brassica pests.

Avoid near

Bronze Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel is allelopathic to most companion plants; its root exudates inhibit germination and growth of Tropaeolum and many other species. Fennel is generally best grown in isolation.