Last Updated on June 14, 2025 by Jocelyn
Nasturtiums are bright, low-maintenance flowers. They grow well in poor soil and need little care. You can plant them in pots, on the ground, or let them climb.
Their colorful blooms look great in window boxes or hanging baskets. From spring to fall, they bring color to your garden.
Nasturtiums are also great companion plants. They repel aphids, squash bugs, and whiteflies. They attract bees and helpful insects.
Good companion plants include tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, and beans. Nasturtiums protect nearby crops and help with pollination.
Why Grow Nasturtiums as Companion Plants?
Companion planting is a technique that helps plants grow better together. By using mutualism, plants help each other. Nasturtium plants are great Cantaloupe companion plants. They create a polyculture and add diversity to the ecosystem.
One big reason to grow nasturtium is for pest control. They work as a trap crop by attracting pests like aphids. This keeps the pests away from other plants. Nasturtiums can also repel pests like whiteflies, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles with their strong smell.
Besides keeping bad bugs away, nasturtium plants attract good bugs. They bring in helpful insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies.
Nasturtiums are excellent for repelling harmful insects and attracting beneficial ones. Planting them near rows of vegetables like squash, cucumbers, cabbages, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower helps protect these crops from pests.
To make the garden even better, practice healthy soil management and use biological controls. Growing nasturtiums with other plants creates a happy and healthy garden.
What to Plant With Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are versatile plants that bring both beauty and protection to your garden. Their colorful flowers brighten up any space, while also attracting helpful insects that keep pests at bay.
Here’s how you can maximize the potential of nasturtiums in your garden by pairing them with other plants.
Nasturtiums in Vegetable Gardens
Planting nasturtiums in your vegetable garden can be a game-changer. These flowers work particularly well with several vegetables, helping to protect and enhance the growth of your crops.
| Companion Plants | Description |
| Cabbage and Brussels Sprouts | Deters pests like aphids, whiteflies, and cabbage loopers that target brassicas such as cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts. |
| Beans and Tomatoes | Draws pests away, protecting beans and tomatoes from infestations. |
| Cucumbers and Squash | Reduces cucumber beetles and squash pests, promoting healthier growth. |
Nasturtiums Around Fruit Trees
Nasturtiums also grow around fruit trees, providing several benefits. They act as a natural mulch, covering the ground with their broad leaves.
This helps retain moisture in the soil and suppresses weed growth, creating a favorable environment for your fruit trees.
Nasturtiums in Hanging Baskets and with Herbs
Nasturtiums are perfect for hanging baskets, especially their trailing varieties. These flowers cascade beautifully over the sides, adding a vibrant touch to patios, balconies, and porches.
Varieties like Jewel Mix, Orchid Flame, and Tall Trailing Mix are ideal for creating a stunning display.
When planting nasturtiums in hanging baskets, choose a spot that receives full sun to partial shade. Water regularly, but avoid overwatering, as nasturtiums are drought-tolerant. Sow the seeds about an inch deep after the risk of frost has passed.
Pairing nasturtiums with herbs like parsley and chives in hanging baskets or containers can bring multiple benefits.
What Not to Plant with Nasturtiums
When thinking about nasturtium companion plants, it’s important to consider what not to plant with them. Careful planning is key to a healthy garden.
Nasturtiums are low growing with a mounding habit, which means they can be easily shaded by larger garden species. This can cause competition for vital resources like water and nutrients in the soil.
Here are some plants to avoid:
| Plants | Reasons to Avoid |
| Mint and Thyme | These fast-growing herbs can quickly take over, leaving nasturtiums crowded and struggling to grow. |
| Onions | Onions prefer drier soil, while nasturtiums need regular watering. |
| Rosemary and Sage | Rosemary and sage prefer dry conditions, which don’t match well with the watering needs of nasturtiums. |
Vegetable Competitors
Avoid planting vegetables that share the same nutrient requirements as nasturtiums. This can lead to competition for vital resources in the soil.
Growing Nasturtium: Tips & Tricks
Growing nasturtiums is easy and enjoyable. They grow well in different types of soil and need very little care, making them perfect for beginner gardeners.
1. Sow Seeds Directly
Sow the seeds directly in the ground, planting them ½ inch deep and 12 inches apart. This spacing gives each plant enough room to spread out and cover the ground effectively.
2. Jump Start Growing Indoors
To get a head start, consider growing indoors 4-6 weeks prior to the last frost. This will allow you to plant seedlings directly outside once the danger of frost has passed. Ensure the seedlings are hardened off before transplanting.
3. Planting and Emergence
After planting, the seedlings will emerge 7 to 10 days later. Ensure the soil is well-draining and not over-fertile, as over-fertile soil can cause the plant to over-produce leaves with minimal blooms.
4. Sunlight and Watering
Nasturtiums need full sun to grow well, requiring a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
They can also thrive in partial shade, especially in hotter climates, where afternoon shade can provide relief from intense morning sunlight. Water them at least once a week when the soil gets dry.
5. Soil and pH
Nasturtiums are not picky about soil and can grow exceptionally well in average to poor soil conditions. The optimal pH is 6.5. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent root rot. In gardens that retain a lot of water, improving drainage is crucial.
6. Pinching and Deadheading
To keep nasturtiums in prime shape, pinch off spent leaves and flowers regularly. This practice, known as deadheading, helps stimulate more blooms and maintains a neat appearance.
7. Spacing and Growth
Provide enough space for the plants to spread out. Spacing them 10 to 12 inches apart ensures they have room to grow and cover the ground effectively. This also helps them thrive in hot climates by providing afternoon shade.
8. Harvesting and Edible Uses
Nasturtiums have edible flowers with a peppery flavor similar to watercress. They make a colorful and tasty addition to salads.
You can also collect sizeable seeds from the plants 15 days after the blooms start to wither. Store these seeds in a paper bag in a dry, dark place for 2-3 years.
FAQ’s
Q: Where Should I Plant Nasturtium in My Garden?
A: For nasturtiums, plant in cooler weather or in warm climates with partial shade (4-6 hours of sun) to extend their growing season.
In cool climates, they do best in full sun. These adaptable plants thrive in shady areas, poor soil, and dry conditions where other plants may not grow.
Q: Do Nasturtiums Need a Lot of Water?
A: In my garden, I have a lovely Nasturtium plant. It’s been potted in a 5.0 pot and is placed where it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
So, to keep it healthy and blooming, it needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days.
Q: What Is the Best Month to Plant Nasturtium?
A: Nasturtium seeds should be planted between March and May. It’s best to sow them under cover at first, then move them outside once the soil has warmed up. This late sowing ensures beautiful flowers until the first frosts.
Q: How Long Do Nasturtiums Last?
A: Nasturtiums can last a long time, from summer through autumn, even enduring severe frosts.
They come in different types: annuals, which need to be grown from seed each year, and perennials, which are cold hardy, and can survive winter. These plants can be bushy, trailing, or climbing, adding beauty to any garden.
Q: Can I Plant Marigolds and Nasturtiums Together?
A: In gardening, marigolds and nasturtiums make great companions. They grow colorful blossoms all summer, adding beauty to your garden.
Plus, their smell keeps bugs away from your veggies, so they thrive in peace. These plants love the sun and can be grown in pots for patio gardening.
Conclusion
Nasturtium plays a valuable role in any garden. It helps control pests, attracts beneficial insects, and supports nearby plants. Its edible leaves and flowers add color and flavor, while its presence contributes to a balanced, healthy growing space.
In my experience, it’s a reliable and resilient plant. It grows quickly, adapts well, and brings a touch of beauty to every corner it touches.
For gardeners at any level, adding nasturtium is a simple way to strengthen your garden and enjoy its quiet benefits season after season.
Explore my other guides to companion planting:
