How to grow nasturtium
A trap crop: aphids pile onto nasturtiums instead of your brassicas. Flowers and leaves are edible.
Spacing1 per square foot
Plant out1 week after your last spring frost
Days to harvest35–55
FrostKilled by frost
HowSow directly in the garden
Family Companion flowers
Rotation and family
Nasturtium belongs to the companion flowers (various). Draw pollinators and hoverflies; nasturtiums act as aphid decoys.
It can fill gaps in any bed of your rotation.
When to plant nasturtium by zone
| Zone | Sow / plant out |
|---|---|
| 3 | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| 4 | May 19 – Jun 9 |
| 5 | May 7 – May 28 |
| 6 | Apr 27 – May 18 |
| 7 | Apr 15 – May 6 |
| 8 | Apr 2 – Apr 23 |
| 9 | Mar 1 – Mar 22 |
| 10 | Feb 8 – Mar 1 |
Based on typical frost dates for each zone; b half-zones run about a week earlier in spring. Zones 11–13 are frost-free in most years.
Nasturtium questions
When should I plant nasturtium?
Plant nasturtium outdoors 1 week after your last spring frost.
How far apart should I plant nasturtium?
About 10 inches apart, or 1 per square foot in a square foot garden.
What grows well with nasturtium?
Traditional companions include cabbage, cucumber, kale, melon, winter squash, zucchini.
How long does nasturtium take to grow?
Typically 35–55 days from sowing to first harvest, depending on variety and weather.