Nasturtiums are one of my favorite flowers to grow in the garden. With their bright, bold colors and easy care, they always add a pop of vibrance wherever they are planted. Even better, the flowers, leaves, and seeds are completely edible, adding a peppery punch to salads, sandwiches, and more. If you are looking to add some nasturtiums to your garden this year, here are some tips on where to find these versatile plants.
Check Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
The first place to check for nasturtiums is your local independent nursery or garden center. Most will have a selection of annuals, including nasturtiums available starting in early spring. I like to support local businesses whenever I can and nursery staff are extremely knowledgeable about which varieties grow best in your specific area.
For example, here in Portland two of my favorite local nurseries are Portland Nursery and Cornell Farm. Portland Nursery has expert staff and a huge selection of common and unique annuals perennials, trees, and shrubs. Their website even has a whole page dedicated to nasturtiums, with details on growth habits, suggested varieties, and tips for care. Cornell Farm is a smaller nursery with gorgeous display gardens. Their annual selection is thoughtfully curated and grown on-site.
Call your local nurseries or check their websites to see if nasturtiums are available Visiting in person allows you to see the plants’ condition and possible blooms Early spring is the best time to find the largest selection.
Look for Seedlings at Garden Centers
In addition to seeds and plants, many garden centers also sell seedlings or small starter plants. These are a couple inches tall in small pots or cell packs, already sprouted from seed and ready to transplant. Nasturtium seedlings are commonly available at most garden centers that sell annual flowers.
The benefit of seedlings is they give the plants a head start on growing versus planting from seed directly in the garden. Seedlings of fast-growing annuals like nasturtiums are often available by early May and are an easy way to add instant color to the garden. Look for stocky, green seedlings without flowering yet.
Check Farmers Markets for Locally Grown Options
Farmers markets are another good source for finding nasturtium plants, especially varieties grown locally or not typically found at nurseries. Many small scale farmers and hobby growers sell plant starts at farmers markets. These are sometimes more unique or heirloom varieties not mass produced. And you’ll be supporting local agriculture.
I’ve found wonderful veggie and flower seedlings at my weekly farmers market, often for just a couple dollars a pot. Ask the growers if they plan to have any nasturtiums. The selection will vary week to week as plants become available. Going earlier in the season will yield the best options.
Order Seeds Online for Largest Variety
For the most variety, buying nasturtium seeds online is the way to go. There are so many colors and forms to choose from when you check the selections offered by online retailers.
Some reputable online seed companies I order from are Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Renee’s Garden, and Botanical Interests. Most have dozens of nasturtium varieties from standard colors to unique varieties like variegated foliage, double or peach flowers, vines, and more.
The one drawback is you have to be prepared to start the seeds yourself and wait a few weeks for the plants to grow. But the extra variety makes it worthwhile!
Check Catalogs of Online Plant Retailers
In between buying seeds and plants, some online plant retailers sell ready-to-ship seedlings or small potted plants. These are plants already sprouted from seed and mailed to you at the right planting time for your zone.
Online nurseries like Territorial Seed Company, Michigan Bulb Company, and Burpee offer nasturtiums plants by mail order. Their selection is broader than locally available plants, but narrower than all the seed varieties. Shipping times can be 1-2 weeks, so order early.
Consider Grocery Store Seed Racks
This is probably the most convenient option, but least extensive. Many grocery stores carry a small seed rack with basic flower and vegetable seeds. You can often find nasturtium seeds at these racks for just a dollar or two. The seed quality won’t be as high as buying from a dedicated seed company, but for a small patch they will do fine.
The selection will usually just be basic jewel tone mixes or maybe a trailing variety. But if you just want a small patch of easy color, grab a pack next time you’re grocery shopping and grow your own!
Visit a Local Garden Club Plant Sale
If you are involved in a local gardening group or garden club, keep an eye out for plant sales and swaps! These events are great sources for inexpensive plants from members’ own gardens.
Members will often donate divisions of perennials or dig up and pot self-seeded annuals like nasturtiums to share. And proceeds benefit club activities and programs. Plant sales are a fun community event for gardeners to mingle and exchange tips while finding great deals.
Grow from Seeds Saved from Last Year
If you already grew nasturtiums last season, collect some of the dried seed pods in fall and you’ll have free seeds for next year! Nasturtiums self sow readily, so let a few spent flowers go to seed and the plants will distribute mature seed around the garden.
Collect these papery pods, separate out the large seeds, and store in a sealed container in a cool place over winter. In spring you’ll have seeds ready to go that are already acclimated to your growing conditions.
In Summary
With so many sources available, it’s easy to find nasturtium plants for your garden. Shop locally at nurseries, farmers markets, and garden centers for robust plants and access to expert growing advice. Or shop online for the widest selection of plants, seeds, and varieties. And consider saving your own seeds or getting free starts from gardening groups. Soon you’ll have beautiful, edible nasturtiums adding tasty color wherever they grow!
Some varieties you can find at Portland Nursery include:
Mounding variety with white-splashed, variegated leaves. Flowers bloom in shades of orange, red, rose, yellow, and salmon. 10-12″.
Buttery-yellow flowers with frilly duck foot-shaped petals. Mounding, 10-12″.
Mounding plants available in a variety of rich jewel tones. 6-12″.
Rich scarlet flowers sit above lovely blue-green foliage. Mounding plants, to 12″.
Semi-double flowers in a range of bright colors. Trailing habit, to 5 tall if trellised.
Yellow, cream, or orange-colored flowers have a distinctive red or purple spot at the base of each petal. Mounding, 8-12″.
An heirloom from the late 1800s. Pale, creamy-yellow flowers. Trailing, 5-8 tall when trellised.
Heirloom variety. Creamy, peach-colored flowers with a splash of red at the base of each petal rise above blue-green foliage. Compact growth, 10-12″.
Mounding variety available in rich tones of red, orange, pink, and gold. 10-12″.
Tropaeolum peregrinum: Canary Creeper, Canary Bird Vine
A tender perennial cousin of Nasturtium, this vigorous vine has deeply-lobed blue-green leaves and frilly yellow flowers that resemble tiny birds. Climbs 8-12 when trellised. As with Nasturtiums, the leaves and flowers are edible.
Family: Tropaeolaceae
Genus: Tropaeolum
Common name: Nasturtium
Origin: Central and South America
Culture: Very easy to grow. Nasturtiums prefer leaner soils. Using fertilizers on Nasturtiums tends to make plants put out lots of leaves and few blossoms. They prefer full sun, but can do well in part sun or dappled shade situations. Nasturtiums look their best during cooler weather in the summer.
Maintenance: The tall or climbing varieties sometimes benefit from slight pruning. Removing yellow leaves keeps them looking fresh. Deadheading is not necessary. Average watering needs; water more frequently when the weather is hot.
Pests & Diseases: Prone to aphids, usually late in the season. Nasturtiums are sometimes used as a trap crop to lure aphids away from more susceptible plants. Look for aphids on the undersides of leaves, and remove and destroy affected leaves, or use a strong jet of water from the hose to knock pests off.
Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils can be applied, but Nasturtiums are very resilient, so its not usually necessary. Slugs and caterpillars sometimes dine on young plants early in the season.
Propagation: Very easy to start from seed. The seeds are large and easily handled, making them ideal for childrens gardens. Start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost date. Be careful not to start too early, as Nasturtiums are very susceptible to cold damage.
Its better to sow seeds directly in the garden in April or May, until as late as July. Nasturtium seeds germinate and grow rapidly in warm soils. Young plants are also available to purchase in summer. Take care in transplanting; Nasturtiums resent having their roots disturbed. Nasturtiums tend to reseed.
Nasturtiums: The Plant You’re Not Growing (But Should Be)
FAQ
What month is best to plant nasturtium?
When to grow. Sow from March to May, outside where they are to flower. They will flower from the summer through to the autumn.
Does Lowes have nasturtium?
Lowe’s Multicolor Nasturtium in 1.25-Quart Pot in the Plants & Planters department at Lowes.com.
Where is the best place to plant nasturtiums?
Nasturtiums thrive in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. They prefer slightly acidic, moderately fertile soil and don’t need much fertilizer.
What should you not plant near nasturtium?
- 01 of 07. Broccoli. Credit: The Spruce / Alandra Chavarria. …
- 02 of 07. Kale. Credit: The Spruce / Debbie Wolfe. …
- 03 of 07. Fennel. Credit: …
- 04 of 07. Squash. Credit: …
- 05 of 07. Cucumbers. Credit: …
- 06 of 07. Rosemary. Credit: …
- 07 of 07. Potatoes. Credit: