Nasturtium plants include more than 80 perennial and annual flowering species in the Tropaeolum genus. These herbaceous flowers are native to South and Central America and are known for their rich, saturated, jewel-toned colors. The rounded leaves look like miniature lotus leaves.
In most North American climates, nasturtiums are grown as annuals. There are nasturtium varieties for almost every gardening purpose: bushy ground-hugging for borders where they fill bloom gaps in a sunny perennial garden, trailing plants for edges, that spill beautifully over walls, edges, and containers, and climbers that add dramatic height. The leaves and flowers are edible, with a peppery tang.
Planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed, nasturtiums are fast and easy to grow.
Nasturtium is a popular companion plant in vegetable gardens where it attracts pollinating insects and keeps pests away.
Do Nasturtiums Come Back Every Year? A Guide to These Colorful Annuals
Nasturtiums are one of the most popular annual flowers grown in gardens thanks to their colorful blooms and ease of care Their trumpet-shaped flowers come in shades of red, orange, yellow, cream, and mahogany and add a pop of color wherever they are planted
While many gardeners enjoy nasturtiums, a common question is whether these plants come back year after year The short answer is no—nasturtiums are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season However, that doesn’t mean you have to replant nasturtiums from seed every year. With a little knowledge of their growth habit, you can enjoy these flowers season after season.
The Life Cycle of Nasturtiums
As annuals, nasturtiums sprout from seed, grow, flower, set seed, and die in the same growing season. In areas with mild winters, they may last for more than one year, but in most climates, the plants die off completely with the first hard frost in fall.
Nasturtium seeds have a hard, waterproof coating that enables them to overwinter in the soil. As the weather warms in spring, the seeds germinate and produce new nasturtium plants.
How to Get Nasturtiums to Return Each Year
While you’ll have to replant nasturtiums you grow from seed purchased at a garden store each year, there is a handy way to get them to come back on their own:
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Allow some plants to go to seed. As your nasturtiums complete their life cycle during the summer, they will produce round, three-parted seed pods. Allow some of these seed pods to fully mature, dry out, and burst open to disperse the seeds.
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Scatter seeds around the garden. As the pods open, scatter the seeds around your flower beds and borders. You can also collect the seeds and intentionally sow them where you want nasturtiums to self-seed the following spring.
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Disturb the soil. Nasturtium seeds need to come in direct contact with the soil to germinate, so lightly disturb the soil where you scattered seeds in fall to help them sprout the following spring.
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Recognize volunteers. In spring, tiny nasturtium seedlings will emerge from the places you scattered seeds the prior year. Recognize these volunteers and allow them to grow.
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Thin or transplant as needed. You may get an overabundance of self-sown nasturtiums. Thin or transplant the seedlings to give plants adequate space.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure a self-sowing supply of nasturtiums year after year without having to purchase new seeds or plants.
Tips for Managing Self-Sown Nasturtiums
If you allow nasturtiums to self-seed, you’ll likely end up with more plants than you want in subsequent seasons. Here are some tips for managing self-sown nasturtiums:
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Recognize volunteer seedlings in spring and decide where you want plants to grow. Transplant extras or discard those growing where you don’t want them.
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Be diligent about cutting off spent flower stems before seed pods can form to prevent excessive self-seeding.
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Pull young plants growing where you don’t want them. Nasturtiums don’t compete well with established plants.
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Cut back rampant growth during the summer to keep plants tidy and discourage seed production.
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Turn under areas where nasturtiums grew in fall to bury seeds deeply in the soil. This prevents excessive germination the following spring.
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Grow nasturtiums in pots or designated garden beds rather than scattering seeds throughout the landscape beds.
With some seasonal maintenance, you can reap the benefits of self-sown nasturtiums while keeping them from spreading rampantly.
Reasons Nasturtiums May Not Return One Year
While allowing nasturtiums to self-seed is an easy way to ensure a continuous supply of these flowers, you may occasionally find they don’t come back one season. Here are some potential reasons:
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Cold winters: In areas with very cold winters, prolonged freezing temperatures may kill overwintering nasturtium seeds.
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Animal predation: Squirrels, chipmunks, and birds may dig up and eat buried nasturtium seeds over winter.
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Competition from other plants: If the area where nasturtiums grew becomes overgrown with other vegetation, it may prevent seeds from germinating in spring.
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Herbicide use: Non-selective herbicides applied to garden beds may kill nasturtium seedlings as they emerge.
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Inadequate seed production: If you deadhead plants too aggressively and don’t allow seed pods to form, plants won’t produce any seed to self-sow.
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Changing soil conditions: Soil compaction, periods of drought, or overly wet soil may create conditions unsuitable for seeds to germinate.
The good news is, if your nasturtiums fail to make an appearance one spring, you can simply replant fresh seeds and start the self-seeding cycle over again.
How to Plant Nasturtium Seeds
If you need to start over with new nasturtium seeds, here are some tips for successful planting:
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Choose a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Nasturtiums will tolerate partial shade but bloom best in full sun.
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Prepare the planting area by removing weeds and working organic matter like compost into the soil to improve drainage.
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Direct sow seeds in spring once the danger of frost has passed. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and 12 inches apart.
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Keep seeds consistently moist to aid germination, which takes 7-14 days. Thin seedlings or transplant to final spacing of 8-12 inches apart.
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Water plants regularly during dry spells. Established plants are somewhat drought tolerant.
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Avoid fertilizing as it can cause excess foliage growth rather than flowers.
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In fall, allow some plants to go to seed for self-sowing the following year.
With their cheery blooms and easy care, nasturtiums are a gardener’s dream. By understanding their life cycle and allowing plants to self-seed, you can enjoy these bright annuals in your garden year after year. With just a bit of seasonal maintenance, you’ll have plenty of nasturtiums to brighten your landscape.
Light
Nasturtiums grow and bloom best when planted in an area of full sun that receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. They tolerate some shade (only three to six hours of sunlight), but might not bloom as profusely. However, when planted in a warm climate, some shade is preferred, as hot temperatures may end up browning leaves.
Fertilizer
There is no need to fertilize nasturtiums, as rich soil causes nasturtiums to grow more foliage and fewer flowers. If the soil is very poor or the surrounding vegetables need a boost of nutrients, amend the soil with organic matter before planting.
Nasturtiums: From Seed to Bloom
FAQ
How do you take care of nasturtiums in the winter?
Understand dormancy: Garden Nasturtiums slow down in winter for survival. ❄️ Protect from frost: Use mulches, cloches, and frost blankets effectively. Adjust care in winter: Water sparingly, pause fertilizing, and reintroduce gradually to spring.
Do nasturtiums reseed themselves?
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Seed Production:Once nasturtiums flower, they start producing seeds.
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Natural Spreading:These seeds will fall to the ground around the parent plant and can germinate and grow new plants.
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Self-Seeding Nature:The plants are naturally inclined to reseed themselves, which is why they are considered self-seeding.
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Climate Dependence:In colder climates, the reseeded nasturtiums will typically return in the spring, while in milder climates, the plants may even reseed throughout the year.
What is the lifespan of a nasturtium?
Nasturtiums are annuals meaning that they complete their life cycle in one year. However, if you plant nasturtiums once then you will always have them.
Do nasturtiums like pots or ground?
Nasturtiums can be grown in pots, in the ground, even in a tree stump if you want. They’re really not all that picky. They will trail down over the edge of whatever they’re planted in, and grow out across the ground.
Do nasturtiums come back every year?
Nasturtiums are annual plants, meaning they live for one growing season and then die. They do not come back every year. Do Nasturtiums grow well in pots? Nasturtiums are one of the easiest flowers to grow and they make a great addition to any garden. They can be grown in pots, containers, or directly in the ground.
Are nasturtiums perennial?
In most parts of the United States, nasturtiums are planted as annuals and will die after a freeze. However, they self-seed freely so you may have plants returning when the soil warms in the spring. In warm climates—zones 9-11—nasturtiums are perennial and will return from year to year.
Are nasturtiums bred to last?
Certainly, a few are bred to last, like the climbing flame nasturtium (Tropaeolum speciosum) and trailing ‘Hermine Grashoff’. Yet a few other nasturtium varieties can be started later in the year and overwintered under glass as tender perennials. But most varieties for home-growing are sold as annuals.
Do nasturtiums reseed?
Nasturtiums are annual plants, meaning they live for one growing season and then die. However, they easily reseed themselves, so you can expect them to come back year after year without intervention. Do Nasturtiums Like Sun Or Shade? Nasturtiums prefer full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. They will not bloom as well in partial shade, however.
Are nasturtiums difficult to grow?
Nasturtiums are not fussy, but they will struggle in extreme humidity or very dry conditions. They bloom best in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. If you plant them in soil too rich in organic matter, the plants become floppy and produce fewer flowers.
Do nasturtiums require full sun?
Nasturtiums grow best in full sun.Whether you opt for a bush or vine type, they need to be planted accordingly and grow best in full sun. Plant nasturtiums in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.