Key Features
- Produces cheerful yellow flowers accented with warm red markings.
- Easy-growing annual with rounded leaves and a spreading or trailing habit.
- Ideal for containers, hanging baskets, borders, cottage gardens, and trellises.
- Performs well in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil.
- Bright blooms add bold color and ornamental interest throughout the growing season.
Growing Benefits
- Adds vibrant yellow and red color to garden displays.
- Trailing growth works beautifully in containers and hanging baskets.
- Large, rounded foliage provides attractive texture and contrast.
- Flowers can attract bees, butterflies, and other visiting pollinators.
- Simple to grow from seed, making it suitable for beginner gardeners.
Seed Specifications
- Common Name: Nasturtium
- Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
- Plant Type: Annual flowering plant
- Colors: Yellow with red markings
- Height: Approximately twelve to eighteen inches; trailing types can spread several feet
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
- Water: Moderate; allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings
- Germination Time: Approximately seven to fourteen days under favorable conditions
- Sowing Depth: Approximately one-half to one inch
- Spacing: Approximately eight to twelve inches
- Growing Zones: Grown as an annual in most climates; perennial in frost-free regions
- Flowering/Maturity: Generally flowers from late spring through fall, depending on climate and planting time
- Uses: Containers, hanging baskets, borders, cottage gardens, trellises, and ornamental beds
Growing Tips
- Soak the large seeds in water for several hours before planting to help soften the seed coat.
- Choose a sunny location with loose, well-drained soil.
- Avoid excessive fertilizer, as rich soil can encourage foliage over flowers.
- Provide support if growing a climbing or trailing type near a trellis.
Seed Storage
Store unused seeds in a cool, dry, dark location. Keep them sealed in their original packet or an airtight container away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.
Unique Facts About Seeds
- Nasturtium belongs to the Tropaeolaceae family and is native to South America.
- The rounded leaves have a distinctive shield-like shape and can add unusual texture to garden displays.
- Nasturtium flowers are known for their vibrant colors and long, projecting nectar spurs.
- Depending on the variety, nasturtiums may grow as compact plants, trailers, or climbers.
