Nasturtium Seeds (Tropaeolum majus) | WINTER

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a colourful flowering annual valued for its:

Bright flowers, rounded shield-like leaves, quick growth and easy-care nature.

The plant may grow as:

• Compact and bushy
• Spreading
• Trailing
• Lightly climbing

depending on the seed strain and growing conditions.

Its bright blooms and distinctive foliage make Nasturtium an attractive plant for both:

Ornamental and edible gardening.

Key Features

• Botanical name: Tropaeolum majus
• Easy-to-grow winter annual
• Bright yellow, orange and red flowers
• Attractive rounded green leaves
• Fast-growing plant
• Suitable for flower beds
• Excellent for pots
• Suitable for grow bags
• Good for window boxes
• Suitable for hanging containers
• Can trail attractively over container edges
• Full sun to partial shade
• Performs well in moderately poor soil
• Low-maintenance flowering plant
• Flowers and young leaves are edible
• Distinctive peppery flavour
• Responds well to regular deadheading
• Suitable for beginner gardeners

Recommended Grow Bags

G-11 Grow Bag – 11 × 10 inch 🔗

Suitable for:

One compact Nasturtium plant.

G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch 🔗

Highly recommended for one strong Nasturtium plant, especially where a fuller spreading or trailing plant is desired.

The larger growing volume provides better:

• Root development
• Moisture stability
• Spreading growth
• Long-term flowering

G-24 Grow Bag – 24 × 12 inch 🔗

Suitable for growing:

Several Nasturtium plants together with adequate spacing.

Trailing plants can also be allowed to cascade naturally over the edge of the grow bag.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

Nasturtium performs best in:

Loose, well-draining and moderately fertile soil.

Use approximately:

70% Bhalu Mitti / Sandy Soil + 20% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost 🔗 + 10% Cocopeat

Unlike many flowering plants, Nasturtium does not require extremely rich soil.

Avoid excessive Vermicompost or high-nitrogen fertilizer because very rich soil may produce:

Large amounts of foliage with fewer flowers.

Most importantly, provide:

Excellent drainage.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

Nasturtium is particularly suitable for:

Direct sowing.

Seeds can be sown directly in:

• Garden beds
• Pots
• Grow bags
• Window boxes
• Large containers

They may also be started individually in nursery pots if required.

Sow seeds approximately:

1–2 cm deep.

Cover the seed properly because Nasturtium seeds germinate better when protected from light.

Water gently after sowing.

Keep the growing medium:

Lightly and consistently moist until germination.

Important Sowing Note

Nasturtium develops relatively tender roots and generally performs well when:

Directly sown in its final growing position.

If starting seedlings separately:

• Use individual cells or small pots
• Avoid unnecessary root disturbance
• Transplant carefully
• Do not allow seedlings to become root-bound

Germination

Seeds generally germinate within approximately:

7–14 days

under suitable conditions.

For successful germination:

• Maintain moderate moisture
• Avoid waterlogging
• Maintain suitable temperature
• Cover seeds properly
• Avoid allowing the growing medium to dry completely

Germination may become slower during:

Very cold conditions.

Ideal Germination Temperature

Recommended germination temperature:

16°C–18°C

Cool-to-mild conditions support reliable Nasturtium seed germination.

After seedlings emerge:

Provide bright light and gradually increase direct sunlight exposure.

Seed Soaking

Pre-soaking is:

Not essential.

However, because Nasturtium seeds are relatively large and have a firm seed coat, some gardeners prefer to soak them briefly before sowing.

If soaking:

Use clean water and avoid prolonged soaking that may damage the seed.

Seeds can also be sown directly without soaking.

Transplanting

If seedlings have been started in nursery pots, transplant when they are:

Young, healthy and strongly established.

Handle the root system carefully.

Before transplanting:

• Water lightly
• Prepare the final planting position
• Avoid disturbing roots unnecessarily
• Gradually introduce seedlings to outdoor sunlight

Transplant preferably:

During the late afternoon.

Water gently after planting.

Plant Spacing

Maintain approximately:

20–30 cm / 8–12 inches between plants.

Adequate spacing encourages:

• Better branching
• Improved airflow
• More flowering
• Better trailing or spreading growth
• Reduced overcrowding

If the strain develops long trailing growth, provide:

Additional room or suitable support.

Sunlight

Provide:

Full sun to partial shade.

For the strongest flowering during Lahore's winter:

5–6+ hours of direct sunlight daily is recommended.

Good sunlight encourages:

• More flowers
• Stronger growth
• Compact plants
• Better colour

Plants grown in excessive shade may produce:

More leaves and fewer flowers.

Watering

During germination:

Keep soil lightly moist.

After plants become established:

Water when the upper soil layer begins to dry.

Avoid:

• Permanent waterlogging
• Constantly saturated soil
• Excessive daily watering

Established Nasturtium can tolerate:

Short periods of relatively dry soil

better than constantly wet roots.

Feeding

Nasturtium generally does not require heavy feeding.

At planting time, use:

A moderate amount of GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost.

Avoid excessive fertilizer, particularly:

High-nitrogen feeding.

Too much nitrogen can produce:

Large leafy plants with reduced flowering.

In moderately fertile soil, Nasturtium can flower very successfully without heavy fertilizer applications.

Plant Height & Growth Habit

Growth habit can vary according to seed strain.

Compact varieties may remain relatively low and bushy, while trailing types can develop:

Long spreading or cascading stems.

The plant naturally produces attractive rounded leaves held on long leaf stalks.

Trailing forms are especially attractive when allowed to:

Cascade over pots, grow bags, window boxes or raised edges.

Climbing / Trailing Support

If individual plants develop long trailing stems, they may be:

• Allowed to trail naturally
• Guided along a low fence
• Supported on a small trellis
• Allowed to cascade from containers

Nasturtium does not require heavy structural support.

A simple trellis or garden net is sufficient where upward growth is desired.

Flowering

Nasturtium produces cheerful, funnel-shaped flowers that may occur in shades including:

Yellow, Golden Yellow, Orange, Deep Orange, Red and related warm colours.

Flowers are held prominently above or among the rounded foliage.

For Lahore and similar hot plains, the main flowering display generally occurs during:

Winter through spring.

Regular removal of faded blooms can help extend the flowering period.

Deadheading

Remove faded flowers regularly.

Deadheading helps:

• Encourage new flowers
• Maintain a neat appearance
• Extend the flowering period
• Reduce unnecessary seed formation

If seed collection is desired:

Allow selected healthy flowers to develop mature seed pods.

Edible Leaves & Flowers

A distinctive feature of Nasturtium is that:

The leaves and flowers are edible.

Young leaves have a:

Fresh, mildly peppery flavour.

Flowers can provide both colour and flavour to:

• Salads
• Garnishes
• Sandwiches
• Cold dishes
• Decorative food presentations

Only consume plant material grown without unsuitable pesticides or chemicals.

Edible Seed Pods

Young Nasturtium seed pods are also used in some culinary preparations.

However, for home gardeners primarily growing Nasturtium for flowers:

Allow some blooms to remain for flowering while harvesting edible material moderately.

Do not repeatedly remove excessive foliage from young plants.

Related Products

G-11 Grow Bag – 11 × 10 inch 🔗

G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch 🔗

G-24 Grow Bag – 24 × 12 inch 🔗

GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost 🔗

Winter Flower Seeds 🔗