This is the best way to grow nasturtiums in pots for your small garden on a balcony or patio. Nasturtiums are great because they only look nice, but you can eat them too, and they keep bugs away!
It’s easy to grow nasturtium. Just put the plants in a medium to large pot and leave 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) of space between them. Cover with 0. 5-1 cm (1/4″-1/2″) of soil. Keep the soil moist, and seeds should sprout in 7-12 days in warm weather. If temperatures and soil are cool, expect germination to take longer than this.
To make it easier for you to choose the right size pots for your plants, we’ve made a list of common herbs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers, along with the smallest pot sizes they need.
If you want to start a container garden, I have a free guide that will help you choose the right size pots for each vegetable, fruit, and herb.
Plant seeds inside two to four weeks before the last frost date, or plant them outside in early to late May, when the soil is warm enough.
Keep nasturtiums well watered during hot, dry weather. Otherwise, water when the top 1″ of soil is dry to the touch.
Nasturtiums are one of the most rewarding and easy-to-grow flowers for containers With their brightly colored, trumpet-shaped blooms and rounded leaves, nasturtiums bring a tropical flair to any patio or balcony
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully growing nasturtiums in pots – from choosing the right container and soil, to planting, care, and harvesting the edible flowers.
Why Grow Nasturtiums?
Here are some of the top reasons to grow nasturtiums in containers:
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Beautiful and vibrant flowers – Nasturtium blooms come in shades of red, orange, yellow, cream, and mahogany. The flowers have a delicate, ruffled appearance and stand out brightly against the plants’ lush, rounded green leaves.
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Edible flowers and leaves – Both the flowers and leaves of nasturtiums are completely edible. The flowers have a pleasant, peppery taste and make lovely garnishes for salads. The leaves taste similar to watercress.
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Trailing or climbing growth habits – You can find nasturtium varieties with trailing or climbing growth habits. Trailing types are perfect for hanging baskets while climbing nasturtiums look beautiful spilling over the edges of patio containers.
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Attract pollinators – With their brightly colored, nectar-rich flowers, nasturtiums attract beneficial pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies.
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Repel pests – All parts of the nasturtium plant contain compounds that naturally deter common garden pests like aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles. Planting nasturtiums alongside vegetables can help repel these nuisance pests.
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Low maintenance – Nasturtiums require very little effort to grow successfully. They tolerate drought and poor soil quality, have few pest or disease problems, and don’t require fertilizing.
Choosing a Container
One of the great things about growing nasturtiums is that they thrive in all different types of containers.
Look for a pot that’s at least 10-12 inches wide and deep. This will provide enough room for the nasturtium roots to spread out. For trailing varieties, use hanging baskets or window boxes that are 10-14 inches across.
Make sure your container has several drainage holes in the bottom. Nasturtiums like moist (but not soggy) soil, and the drainage holes will prevent water from pooling.
Plastic, ceramic, wood, and terracotta pots all work well. You can also plant directly into decorative containers like old buckets, crates, or wheelbarrows for a whimsical, rustic look.
If you don’t want to worry about watering frequently, choose a self-watering container or pot with a built-in water reservoir.
Best Soil for Container Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums thrive in soil that drains well and is not too nutrient-dense. Aim for a lightweight potting mix made for container plants, with ingredients like peat moss, perlite, bark chips, or coconut coir.
Avoid regular garden soil, as this can become compacted. Also skip potting mixes with moisture-control gels or water-absorbing polymers, as these may hold too much moisture.
The ideal pH range for nasturtiums is 6.0 to 7.0. Test your potting mix and amend with lime if the pH is too low.
When preparing the container, mix in a couple handfuls of compost to provide nutrients. Otherwise, no fertilizer is necessary – an excess of nutrients may cause more foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
How to Plant Nasturtiums in Pots
Starting from seeds:
Nasturtiums are very easy to grow from seed. You can sow seeds directly in the pot 2-3 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. Or for a head start, plant them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost.
Fill your container with moistened potting mix. Plant 2-3 seeds together in a group, pushing them just 1/2 inch deep into the soil. Space the groups 8-12 inches apart for bush varieties and 12-15 inches for trailing types.
Lightly cover the seeds and gently water. Place in a warm, sunny spot. Germination takes 7-12 days.
Once the seedlings sprout, thin to just one healthy plant per spot by snipping off unwanted seedlings at the base.
Transplanting starts:
You can also transplant nur
How to Grow Nasturtiums: Growing Tips
You can eat both the leaves and the flowers of this plant. To make your salads look nicer, sprinkle some of these flowers on top.
Nasturtium are vigorous growers. This can be good because they will quickly fill up their pots, but they might need to be trimmed back every so often to keep them in check.
Pruning off dead flowers will encourage nasturtium to produce more flowers.
Where Can I Grow It?
Grow nasturtium outdoors in a sunny location, or partially shady location if full sun is unavailable. Always remember that nasturtiums grown in shady spots will have more leaves and fewer flowers than those grown in full sun.
There are many different varieties, but you can get them in two basic growing patters: climbing or trailing nasturtium or bush nasturtium.
How To Grow Nasturtiums In Small Containers From Seed | Perfect For Container Gardens BG
What is the best container for growing nasturtiums?
The best type of container for growing nasturtiums is one that is deep and wide enough to accommodate the roots of the plant. Nasturtiums have a relatively shallow root system, so a container that is at least 8 inches deep is ideal. The container should also have good drainage to prevent the soil from becoming overly saturated.
How big should a nasturtium pot be?
Nasturtiums tend to spread out as they grow, so it’s important to choose a container that is large enough to accommodate the plant as it matures. A 12-inch pot is a good size for a single nasturtium, but if you plan to grow multiple plants, it’s best to look for a larger pot that can accommodate all of them.
How do you grow nasturtiums in a pot?
Plant the nasturtiums in the pot, spacing them 8-12 inches apart. Water the plants deeply, making sure to saturate the soil. Place the container in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Fertilize the nasturtiums once a month using a liquid fertilizer.
How do nasturtiums grow?
Nasturtiums also need well-draining, fertile soil. They can grow in a variety of soils, but for optimal growth, it is best to mix in plenty of organic matter before planting. This will help ensure that the soil is able to retain moisture, while also providing the necessary nutrients for the plants to grow.
