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Tropaeolum majus

Image of Tropaeolum majus

Jessie Keith

Family

Tropaeolaceae

Botanical Name

Tropaeolum majus

Plant Common Name

Nasturtium

General Description

What a phenomenal, ever-blooming tender perennial! Originating from regions across South and Central America, the common nasturtium is a beautiful vining plant with colorful showy flowers that will brighten any summer flower garden.

Throughout the growing season nasturtiums offer a profusion of showy, open, five-petaled flowers with large, nectar-rich spurs. They come in shades of yellow, orange, red, apricot, rose or pink and all are highly attractive to hummingbirds. The beauty of their blooms is enhanced by distinctive parasol-shaped, or peltate, leaves. Though plants typically grow as loose, rambling vines, compact, non-vining varieties are also available as are selection with double flowers and variegated leaves.

Nasturtiums are incredibly easy to cultivate if grown were summers are cool. Overall, they grow best if given bright light—direct where summers are cool and indirect where hot—rich fertile soil and regular water. Almost all garden cultivated nasturtiums are grown from seed.

The long-blooming plants adapt readily to containers. Vining selections can be trained along trellises, fences—anything so long as their twining stems have something to grasp. Because they are colorful, non-toxic and easy to grow they are ideal for children’s gardens. In warm southern and western climates, nasturtiums are commonly grown as winter annuals.

Nasturtium flowers are also edible. They have a peppery taste and look beautiful in salads.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    3"-10" / 7.6cm - 25.4cm

  • Width

    8"-16" / 20.3cm - 40.6cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Central America, South America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Vining/Climbing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Rose, Coral, Peach, Dark Red, Ivory

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Hanging Basket, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Vine

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes