Herb · Tropaeolaceae family

garden nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

Full sun to part shade 0.3–3 m × 0.3–0.9 m Flowers June–October Low maintenance
Flower colours Click a colour
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garden nasturtium
0.3–3 mmature height
June–Octoberflowering
Photo: George Chernilevsky · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

In short a 10-second read

Garden nasturtium (herb) grows to 0.3–3 m tall and 0.3–0.9 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in June–October; the flowers are orange, yellow, red, pink or white. Sow in April–May.

SunFull sun to part shade
Size0.3–3 m
× spread 0.3–0.9 m
FlowersJune–October
Pruningas needed
WinterDoes not overwinter
CareLow maintenance

Where to plant

Sun and soil.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.

Soil and water

dry to average · watering: little

Soil: loamy, sandy

acidic 4neutral 7alkaline 9

Soil pH 5.5–8.5

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

Next to a person

1 m2 m3 m0.3–3 mspread 0.3–0.9 m

The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

What to do and when.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPruning: JanuaryPruning: FebruaryPruning: MarchPruning: AprilPruning: MayPruning: JunePruning: JulyPruning: AugustPruning: SeptemberPruning: OctoberPruning: NovemberPruning: DecemberSowing: JanuarySowing: FebruarySowing: MarchSowing: AprilSowing: MaySowing: JuneSowing: JulySowing: AugustSowing: SeptemberSowing: OctoberSowing: NovemberSowing: DecemberWinter protection: JanuaryWinter protection: FebruaryWinter protection: MarchWinter protection: AprilWinter protection: MayWinter protection: JuneWinter protection: JulyWinter protection: AugustWinter protection: SeptemberWinter protection: OctoberWinter protection: NovemberWinter protection: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersSowing
Now, in October: nothing to do — the next job is in April.

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June–October · orange, yellow, red, pink or white

Pruning

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

deadhead spent flowers (as needed)

Sowing

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

direct sowing: April–May

Winter protection

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

does not overwinter

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does garden nasturtium flower?

In June–October; the flowers are orange, yellow, red, pink or white.

When do I sow garden nasturtium?

In April–May (direct sowing).

Does garden nasturtium tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does garden nasturtium need?

At maturity 0.3–0.9 m wide and 0.3–3 m tall; recommended spacing 30 cm.

Where the data comes from

The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.

Show sources (8)

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