Tropaeolum majus
Tropaeolum majus
Common names: Nasturtium, Cape gooseberry, Indian cress
Photo: George Chernilevsky · Public Domain · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The plant combines ornamental and culinary uses: its bright orange‑red flowers taste peppery and sharp like cress, and the young buds can be pickled as a substitute for capers. As a climber, it greets fences and diverts aphids from neighboring beds.
Care instructions
Plant the large seeds in May directly in the garden on a sunny spot with relatively poor soil, because too much nitrogen produces only leaves instead of flowers. Water evenly and harvest leaves, flowers, and buds continuously until the first frost. A trellis or support helps climbing varieties.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
sandy, loamy, well-drained, lean
Feeding
Light feeder
Months
Apr–May
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Cuttings
- Layering
Companion planting
Good neighbors
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
Nasturtium serves as a trap plant for you. Aphids and cabbage whiteflies prefer it over the brassicaceae next to it.
For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue
Source: Trap plant practice in organic horticulture
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?
From the magazine
Where to get this plant
AdvertisementOne supplier we work with. If you buy there, we receive a commission.
- Browse nasturtium seeds at Samen.de
Samen.de
If you buy through this link, we receive a commission.