Nasturtiums: The uncomplicated exotic

The nasturtium is an exotic beauty and has a pungent, aromatic taste. We will inform you about the cultivation, varieties, care and use of nasturtiums.

The nasturtium (Tropaeolum), also known as capuchin or Indian cress, is often cultivated as an annual due to its sensitivity to cold. In this article we will show you how to grow the decorative plant yourself, which varieties for garden and Pot and how you can use the tasty nasturtium flowers in the kitchen.

Nasturtiums: Origin and History

Within the plant kingdom, the nasturtiums form a family of their own, but in German gardens the greater nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) and the small nasturtium (

Tropaeolum minus) to be found. Both of these are usually sold under the name nasturtium. Nasturtium is originally from South America and arrived in the 17th century. In the 19th century by Dutch merchant ships to Europe, where it quickly became a popular ornamental plant. It got the name nasturtium from its flowers, the shape of which is reminiscent of the hoods of the nasturtiums. Even if, due to the cress-like taste of the nasturtiums, it is likely to quickly become related to the well-known Garden cress it is believed that these two herbs are not related to each other.

Nasturtium varieties for growing

The cultivation of different types of nasturtiums has its own charm, because the flowers glow in the the most beautiful colors - from delicate pink and pastel yellow to strong red and orange to velvety Dark red. There are even varieties that show flowers in different colors on a plant. The species also plays an important role when buying seeds - while the nasturtium is 1 to 3 meters long Forms tendrils, the small nasturtium (as the name suggests) remains rather small and bushy in the Growth.

Popular varieties of nasturtiums at a glance:

• ‘Banana Split’: Attractive, banana-yellow flowers and an overhanging habit make this variety the perfect pot plant on the terrace and balcony.
• ‘Black Velvet’: This variety impresses with its velvety, black-red flowers.
• 'Phoenix': A real feast for the eyes: The flowers of the ‘Phoenix’ variety enchant with their yellow, red and apricot-colored tones and an unusual shape with fringed petals.
• "Variegated Queen": This variety does not bear its title for nothing, because it is truly royal to look at! "Variegated Queen" has white and green speckled foliage and the splendor of the flowers ranges from bright sun yellow to strong red.

A wider range of different Types and varieties of nasturtiums see this article.

Plant nasturtiums

The cultivation of nasturtiums in the garden or on the balcony is unproblematic, since the exotic plant gets along excellently with little care if the right location is chosen. We'll show you how to plant nasturtiums in pots and what to watch out for when sowing.

The right location for nasturtiums

Nasturtiums thrive well on humus-rich, well-drained soils, because they don't like waterlogging at all. It also loves sunny to partially shaded locations. Due to its high water content, the nasturtium is sensitive even to mild sub-zero temperatures and is therefore cultivated annually in Germany. Even the first night frosts transform the colorful flowers into a tangle of dead plant parts within a very short time.

Plant nasturtiums in the pot

The nasturtium is also ideal for growing in pots or balcony boxes. It is best to use normal garden soil as a substrate with some sand mixed in with it. You should also make sure that the planter has enough drainage holes to avoid waterlogging. Basically, the nasturtium in pots thrives in any location, but if you want rich flowers, you should make sure that there is enough sun.

tip: Most varieties of nasturtiums grow expansive with long shoots that either crawl on the ground or cling to climbing aids. It can therefore make sense to use compact growing varieties for growing in pots.

Sow nasturtiums

Because of its tropical origin, nasturtiums are very sensitive to the cold. Therefore, the seeds should only be sown in the open after the ice saints in order to safely avoid the last night frosts. The seeds are approx. Sown 2 cm deep with a distance of 10 cm. Alternatively, three grains can be put into the earth every 20 cm. Incidentally, seeds can easily be obtained from your own plants in autumn.

If you want to start growing earlier, you can prefer plants to the nasturtium inside. However, especially with strongly climbing varieties, sowing should not be started too early so that the vigorously sprouting young plants do not occupy the entire apartment as a habitat.

Maintain nasturtiums

Despite its South American roots, the nasturtium has proven to be easy to care for and uncomplicated if the location is right. On soils rich in humus, the plants only need to be lightly fertilized with mainly organic fertilizers because too many nutrients ensure that they shoot into the leaf and only a few flowers bring forth. Our Plantura is very suitable Organic flower fertilizer with a long-term effect that releases its nutrients slowly and gently. There is no danger that the nasturtium shoots into the leaf and hardly forms flowers. You can safely do without pruning. However, the nasturtium can handle a courageous grip on scissors if you want to contain the climbing plant a little.

Harvest and store nasturtiums

The leaves of the capuchin flower can be harvested during the entire growing season. From the beginning of the flowering period in June until the first frosts in autumn, the plants produce tons of colorful flowers and seed pods, which are also edible.

The abundant harvest of leaves, flowers and seed pods calls for processing! But preserving the delicious seasoning is difficult because the flowers and leaves are neither suitable for drying nor for freezing. However, there is the option of pickling buds and unripe seed pods such as capers, herb vinegar or make delicious pesto from the leaves that can be stored in the refrigerator for a few weeks leaves.

Ingredients and uses of nasturtium

Mustard oil glucosides give nasturtiums their sharp, cress-like taste. Their healing effect on bacteria, viruses and fungi is undisputed; In 2013 the nasturtium was even voted Medicinal Plant of the Year. The plant extract is often used to prevent urinary tract infections and colds. But the plant also contains other healthy ingredients - including vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids and sulfur. Nasturtiums tastes best freshly picked - for example in herb butter and quark, as a spicy salad ingredient or as an edible flower decoration. The flowers filled with cream cheese are a special delicacy. The larger leaves can also be filled like vine leaves.

Nasturtiums: diseases and pests

Two pests that can be dangerous to the exotic beauty are the hungry caterpillars of the Large cabbage white butterfly and Aphids. In the past, attempts were made to make use of this fact in the vegetable garden: As an "aphid catcher", nasturtiums should keep the pests away from other endangered plants. However, this method is only successful in exceptional cases, as the different types of pests relate to very specific ones Specialized host plants and not even dissuaded from them by the juicy shoots of the nasturtium permit.

Simple home remedies, such as regular spraying with soapy water, often help against an aphid infestation. Severely affected shoots can be removed. As with all plants that are supposed to end up on the plate at some point, poisonous pesticides are not the means of choice. A biological and safe means of successfully combating pests such as aphids is ours Plantura organic pest-free neem. It is based on the 100% herbal and natural active ingredient neem and is used as a spray. Bees and other beneficial insects are not endangered.

More information on the topic Grow nasturtiums can be found in our special article.