Common nasturtium is a warm-weather annual with long stems, parasol-like leaves, and spurred 5-petaled flowers. It is popular in various types of gardens. Available in both climbing and bushy forms. The bushy dwarf types range from 12" tall and 2' wide. Those are a great choice for beds, borders, ground covers, rock gardens or other mass plantings. The climbing types that can grow up to 10' tall can quickly cover fences, trellises, and banks. The genus name comes from the Greek word tropaion meaning a trophy and the Latin word tropaeum named by Linnaeus for its resemblance to a classical trophy. It grows best in poor to average, well-drained soil in full sun, but with some afternoon shade in hot summers. Fertilizing will increase foliage, however, will also decrease flowering. It is tolerant of both drought and neglect. Leaves, buds, flowers, pods, and seeds are edible with a spicy, peppery taste. Flowers are a colorful addition to salads, and seeds can be used as a substitute for capers. The buds contain mustard oil and are used as a seasoning. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Self-seeding can cause the plant to spread. More information on Tropaeolum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing; Clumping; Mounding
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Peltate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Rounded, long-petioled, parasol-like leaves with light colored veins. The shape is peltate (petioles attached near the center of each leaf). They may be variegated.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Edible; Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers are long-stalked, spurred, funnel-shaped, 5-petaled flowers (2.5” wide); red, orange, yellow, pink and cream. They can be single or double.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Central and South America
Wildlife value
Butterflies are attracted to this plant.
Attracts
Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Pollinators
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Colorful; Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Roots
Edibility
All parts, with exception of the roots, are edible. It has a spicy flavor.