Ruqayyah Snyder
Nasturtiums are a versatile, easy-to-grow flowering plant that can thrive in most Australian gardens. They are a great addition to any vegetable garden, offering bright, vibrant blooms and edible leaves and flowers with a peppery flavour. They also repel common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Nasturtiums are not fussy about soil quality and can be grown in containers, hanging baskets, or directly in the ground. They require at least three hours of full sun each day and well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Seeds should be planted twice as deep as they are wide and kept moist during germination, which typically occurs within 7 to 14 days. With their sprawling growth habit, nasturtiums can spread along the ground, cascade over pots, or climb up a trellis, making them a beautiful and functional addition to any outdoor space.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil quality | Nasturtiums thrive in less fertile soil, which encourages blooms rather than foliage. |
| Soil type | Well-drained soil enriched with organic matter, such as aged animal manure or compost. |
| Sunlight | Full sun to part shade. At least 3 hours of full sun each day. |
| Self-seeding | Nasturtiums commonly self-seed and re-appear every year if they are happy in a spot. |
| Seed germination | Seeds germinate within 7-14 days at a soil temperature of 16-20°C. |
| Seed depth | Seeds should be sown at a depth of 12-15mm. |
| Seed spacing | Seeds should be sown 30-45cm apart. |
| Watering | Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Water early in the morning and avoid watering leaves and flowers. |
| Mulch | Mulch around new seedlings to suppress weeds and retain moisture. |
| Pests | Protect seedlings from pests like snails and slugs. |
| Fertiliser | May require liquid fertiliser high in potassium to boost growth and encourage flowering. |
| Flowers | Appear in roughly 70-80 days. |
| Pruning | Give the plant a good cut back in mid-summer if it's becoming leggy and sparse. |
| Varieties | Trailing/climbing nasturtium, bush nasturtium, Chilean nasturtium, Canary Creeper, Flame nasturtium, Jewel of Africa nasturtium, Tom Thumb Black Velvet, Whirlybird Mix. |
| Uses | Edible flowers and leaves with a peppery flavour. The seeds are also edible and can be used as a substitute for capers. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seeds or cuttings
Nasturtiums are a great addition to any garden, with their bright and happy flowers and delicious scent. They are easy to grow from seeds or cuttings and can be grown in containers or directly in the ground.
Growing Nasturtiums from Seeds
Nasturtium seeds are large and easy to germinate, making them ideal for beginner gardeners. To grow nasturtiums from seeds, choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun and prepare the planting area by digging in some organic matter such as aged animal manure or compost. Nasturtiums thrive in less fertile soil, so there's no need to worry about soil quality. Sow the seeds directly where you want them to grow, at a depth of 12-15mm. Cover the seeds with a seed-raising mix and firm down gently. Keep the soil moist during the germination period, which can take up to 14 days. Once the seedlings emerge, reduce watering and mulch around them to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Growing Nasturtiums from Cuttings
Propagating nasturtiums from cuttings is a less common but effective method to multiply your plants. This method is useful if you want to replicate the exact characteristics of a particular plant. To propagate from cuttings, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a segment about 10-15 cm long. Remove the lower leaves to expose a few nodes, as roots will develop from these points. You can either plant the cuttings in pots filled with moist, well-drained potting mix or place them in water until roots form, which usually takes about two weeks.
Care Tips for Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade. They need at least three hours of full sun each day. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry, and avoid overwatering. Nasturtiums are self-seeding in warmer climates, so you may not need to replant them each season. However, if you do not want them to self-seed, be sure to deadhead the flowers before they drop their seeds. Nasturtiums also benefit from being cut back in mid-summer to encourage new growth and flowers.
Australia's Clock Change: When and Why?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They thrive in full sun, with well-drained soil
Nasturtiums thrive in full sun, requiring at least three hours of sunlight each day. They are not fussy about soil quality and will grow in less fertile soil, which encourages more blooms. Nasturtiums prefer soil that is well-drained and rich in organic matter.
To prepare the soil, remove weeds, dig it over to loosen it, and add aged animal manure or compost. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Water early in the morning, but avoid overwatering, and be sure to water around the base of the plant rather than the leaves and flowers.
Nasturtiums can be grown in containers, but they require a good-quality potting mix and a container large enough for mature plants—a minimum of 20 litres is recommended. If growing nasturtiums in containers, you will likely need to add liquid fertiliser during the growing season to encourage healthy growth.
Study in Australia: Free Application Process
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nasturtiums are self-seeding and hardy
Nasturtiums commonly self-seed in the garden, dropping seeds onto the soil at the end of the season that may germinate and grow without help the following season. If you do not want nasturtiums to become established in your garden, you can prevent self-seeding by deadheading the plants before they drop their seeds or by growing them in containers. Nasturtiums can be grown in any size pot with good drainage, and they will also happily spill over walls and hanging baskets. Choose a pot that suits the mature height and width of your chosen variety, with a minimum of 20 litres recommended for nasturtiums.
Nasturtiums are a warm-season flower and prefer a full sun position, requiring at least three hours of full sun each day. They can, however, tolerate some shade and will grow in full sun to part shade spots. They are a great addition to vegetable gardens, as their bright and happy flowers and delicious scent will brighten up your garden, and they can also be used in the kitchen as both the leaves and flowers are edible. Nasturtium flowers have a peppery flavour and can be added to salads, while the leaves can be mixed into butter, pesto, soft cheese, or sandwiches.
Nasturtiums are also a great companion plant, as they repel common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms, potentially reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Their sprawling nature helps to cover the ground, keeping the soil moist and cool, which is beneficial for plants like tomatoes. Nasturtiums can be left to spread out along the ground or can even climb up a trellis or fence. If you are limited on space, look for the compact nasturtium varieties with a less sprawling growth habit.
Removing Fly Screens from Windows: An Australian Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They have a sprawling growth habit and can climb
Nasturtiums have a sprawling growth habit and can climb up trellises and fences. They can also be left to spread out along the ground, cascade over the sides of pots, or even climb up a trellis. If left to their own devices, nasturtiums will naturally self-seed and reappear every year if they are happy in a spot. They are not fussy about soil quality and will thrive in less fertile soil, which encourages more blooms rather than lush foliage. As they grow, thin the seedlings to about 25 to 30 cm apart to give each plant room to spread.
Nasturtiums are either climbing (Tropaeolum majus) or bushy/dwarf (Tropaeolum minus). The climbing varieties can be invasive, and the vine may grow up to 3 metres in length. They are perfect for growing on fences and trellises and will add a wild yet elegant touch to your garden. The Jewel of Africa nasturtium, for example, can climb up to 2 metres under the right conditions. Dwarf varieties, on the other hand, are suitable for growing in containers and hanging baskets. These include the Tom Thumb Black Velvet variety, which grows up to 30 cm tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for small gardens, borders, and containers.
If you are limited on space, look for the compact nasturtium varieties with a less sprawling growth habit. These have a more upright, rounded growth habit and look great in pots or tucked in between taller plants. The Whirlybird Mix, for example, is a bushy nasturtium variety that doesn't trail, making it perfect for creating dense, colourful borders or as a cheerful ground cover.
Australia's Birth Rate: A Declining Trend
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The flowers, seeds and leaves are edible
Nasturtiums are a versatile and edible companion plant with bright and happy flowers, and peppery leaves. They are a must-have in Australian gardens, not only for their colour and life but also for their edible flowers, seeds and leaves. The flowers have a peppery taste, while the leaves have a milder flavour. The seeds are also edible and can be pickled, resembling capers.
The flowers can be used to add colour and a spicy kick to salads, garnish soups, or top pizzas. The leaves can be mixed into butter, pesto, soft cheese, added to sandwiches, or blended into risotto. They can even be used as mini gluten-free wraps. The seeds can be pickled and used as a caper substitute.
Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seeds, which can be collected from existing plants at the end of the season and stored until planting time. They can also be grown from cuttings, which is useful if you want to replicate a particular plant or extend the growing season. Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun, and prepare the planting area by digging in soil improver and fertiliser. Nasturtiums thrive in less fertile soil, which encourages blooms rather than foliage. They prefer well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter, such as aged animal manure or compost.
Sow the seeds directly where they are to grow, covering them with a seed-raising mix to a depth of 12mm as they require darkness to germinate. Within 7-14 days, seedlings will emerge, and you can reduce watering. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Thin the seedlings to about 25-30cm apart to give each plant room to spread. Once the plants reach about 5cm in height, lightly mulch with an organic mulch such as bark chips, sugar cane, or pea straw.
Choosing the Right Airport for Your Australian Adventure
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Nasturtiums are a versatile, easy-to-grow flowering plant with edible seeds, flowers and leaves. They come in a range of colours, from cream to red, and have a peppery taste. They can be grown in the ground or in containers, and are a great addition to any vegetable garden as they attract beneficial insects and repel pests.
Nasturtiums require at least three hours of full sun each day, but can tolerate some shade. They thrive in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, such as aged animal manure or compost. If growing in a container, ensure the potting mix is good quality and be prepared to add liquid fertiliser to encourage healthy growth.
Seeds are the most straightforward method of propagation. Nasturtium seeds are large and easy to germinate. They can be collected from existing plants at the end of the season and stored in a cool, dry place until planting. Alternatively, you can propagate nasturtiums from cuttings, which is useful if you want to replicate the characteristics of a particular plant.
Nasturtiums are self-seeding plants, so they will naturally reappear every year if they are happy in a spot. To encourage flowering, fertilise with a product designed for flowering plants. Remember to deadhead flowers to encourage more buds. Water nasturtiums early in the morning, avoiding the leaves and flowers, and ensure the plants do not become overcrowded.
