How To Grow Nasturtium At Home From Seeds

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) brings a unique blend of beauty and utility to any home garden. These annual flowering plants are known for their vibrant colors like red, orange, and yellow, distinctive appearance, and delightfully peppery flavor that extends from their leaves to their flowers. Knowing this, we know you also want to include this adorable flower in your home garden, so let’s take a look at their growing guidance including how to grow nasturtium at home from seeds, growing either in pots or garden, tips for planting seeds and nasturtium flower plant care tips.

Information To Grow Nasturtium from Seeds

• Common Name: Nasturtium
• Scientific Name: Tropaeolum majus
• Plant Type: Annual, flowering plant
• Plant Height: 6 to 18 inches
• Flower Color: Vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow
• Growing Season: Spring
• Soil: Well-draining
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Germination Temperature: 12-21°C
• Germination Days: 5 to 14 days
• Level of Growing: Easy
• Blooming Season: Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Essential Tools and Materials To Grow Nasturtium from Seeds

• High-quality Nasturtium seeds
• Nutrient-rich potting soil mix
• Grow bags or pots 
• Watering can
• Organic Fertilizers
• Gardening Tools

(Read More: Top Gardening Tools and Their Uses in Home Gardening…)

Nasturtium Ideal Growing Season In India

In India, the ideal time to grow nasturtium is during the spring. If you get the flowers in spring then it’s best to sow the seeds in early fall or late winter seasons. You can also plant nasturtium in early summer. These periods provide the optimal temperature and sunlight conditions for robust growth and blooming.

Choosing the Right Nasturtium Variety

Nasturtium varieties come in a variety of colors and growth habits. Choose from trailing or bushy varieties, depending on your space and aesthetic preferences. Popular choices include ‘Empress of India’, ‘Whirlybird’, Nasturtium ‘Jewel of Africa‘, Variegated and Yellow or Golden nasturtiums.

Optimal Pot Sizes For Growing Nasturtium

For growing nasturtium in pots from seeds, choose containers or grow bags that are at least 10-15 inches wide and deep. Nasturtium roots are shallow, but they appreciate proper space for spreading. Some of the best sizes of grow bags or pots for planting nasturtiums at home are:

• 10 x 10 Inch (W*H)
• 12 x 12 Inch (W*H)
• 15 x 15 Inch (W*H)

Best Potting Soil For Growing Nasturtium At Home

Use a well-draining soil with organic matter. Add compost or well-rotted manure to increase soil fertility and help in healthy nasturtium growth. Additionally, you can also use ready-to-use potting soil mix to avoid the hassle of choosing soil for planting nasturtium from seeds.

(Read More: How to Choose the Perfect Organic Soil for Your Garden…)

Step-by-Step Guide To Grow Nasturtium At Home From Seeds

After knowing the basic information about growing nasturtium in pots from seeds, let’s learn how to grow nasturtium at home.

1. Sowing Method: It is best to sow the seeds directly in pots or on the ground. Take a pot and fill it with potting soil mixture.
2. Planting Depth: Sow nasturtium seeds about 0.5 to 1 inch deep in the soil.
3. Spacing: If you are growing nasturtium in pots, sow 1-2 seeds in each pot or maintain a distance of 10-12 inches between plants for optimum air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal infection.
4. Watering: Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a sunny location.
5. Germination: Maintain a temperature of 12-21°C for successful germination. Seeds should sprout or germinate in 5 to 14 days.

(Read More: How to Grow Beautiful Flowers at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide…)

Nasturtium Flower Plant Care Tips

• Watering: Nasturtium is moderately drought tolerant, and weekly watering is sufficient for it. But regular watering is important during their initial stage.
• Sunlight: The nasturtium plant grows best in full sun and can tolerate partial shade. But the nasturtium growing in the shade tends to be leggy and produces fewer flowers. Therefore, it is best to grow nasturtium in the shade during the hot summer.
• Fertilizers: Do not add any chemical fertilizer because leaves and flowers are edible. You can add phosphorous-rich fertilizers such as bone meal, PROM, or rock phosphate to encourage blooming. 
• Temperature: Nasturtium grows best in temperatures between 10-27°C. These plants prefer cool climates and can tolerate hot weather but will not produce more flowers. 
• Common pests and diseases: Caterpillars, flea beetles, black aphids, slugs, and whiteflies disturb the growth of the Nasturtium plants. You can use neem oil to eliminate them. Other than this bacterial leaf spots infect the plant when grown in poor conditions. It is best to cut off infected leaves to avoid the spread of the disease.

Blooming Nasturtium

• Nasturtiums typically start blooming in 5-8 weeks after germination. 
• Usually, Nasturtium blooms in spring, summer, and fall. 
• The vibrant flowers add a burst of color to your home garden, and both the leaves and flowers are edible, offering a peppery flavor to salads.

(Read More: Blooming Bliss: 365 Days of Flowering Plants in India…)

By following these steps on how to grow nasturtium at home from seeds and nasturtium flower plant care tips, you’ll be on your way to growing or planting a stunning array of nasturtium in pots, bringing the warmth of the sun straight into your home garden.