Potted Nasturtium Plants: How To Grow Nasturtium In A Container
Nasturtiums are trailing plants with big and vibrant yellow, orange, red or mahogany blooms. They are a perfect fit for containers. Interested in growing nasturtium in pots? Read on to learn how.
Growing Potted Nasturtium Plants
Growing nasturtiums in a container couldn’t be easier, even for kids or beginning gardeners.
You can start seeds indoors about a month before the last expected frost in your area, and then move them into a container when they have a few sets of leaves. While occasionally finicky about transplanting, to eliminate this problem, just start the seeds in peat pots. That way, you can simply pop the little peat pots directly into the larger container without disturbing the roots.
Soak seeds overnight before planting. Although soaking the seeds isn’t absolutely necessary, it can speed germination time and get the nasturtiums off to a flying start. Plant nasturtium seeds directly in the container after you’re sure all danger of frost has passed.
Fill your container with good-quality potting mix. Nasturtium in pots don’t need rich soil, so start them with a potting mix without pre-added fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can produce lots of foliage but with few blooms. Also, be sure the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom.
Plant a few nasturtium seeds in the pot, at a depth of about ½ inch (1.27 cm.). Water lightly. Continue to water seedlings as needed to keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy or saturated. Place the pot in a warm spot where the seeds are exposed to full sunlight.
Caring for Nasturtium in a Container
Thin the tiny plants if they appear too crowded in the pot; one healthy plant is plenty in a small pot while a larger pot may accommodate two or three plants. To thin potted nasturtiums, just remove weak plants and allow the stronger plants to continue growing.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Once the potted nasturtium plants are up and established, water only when the top two inches (5 cm.) of soil feels dry to the touch. Nasturtiums are drought-tolerant and may rot in soggy soil.
Keep in mind that a nasturtium in a container will dry out much faster than a plant grown in the ground. Nasturtium in pots may need water every day during hot weather.
If their growth appears weak, feed container growing nasturtiums using a very diluted solution of a general-purpose water-soluble fertilizer.
A Credentialed Garden Writer, Mary H. Dyer was with Gardening Know How in the very beginning, publishing articles as early as 2007.
-
5 Plastic Products To Avoid In Your Garden – And How You Can Embrace Plastic Reduction
The less plastic we use, the healthier our planet will be. Here are some big plastic gardening products to avoid, plus some alternatives.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
8 Small Trees For Front Yards – Boost Curb Appeal Without Dominating The House
Discover the best small trees for front yards, which make an impact in multiple seasons without overshadowing the rest of the yard.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Nasturtium Seed Harvest – Tips For Collecting Nasturtium Seeds
Harvesting nasturtium seeds is pretty simple, even for the youngest gardeners. Click here to learn how to gather nasturtium seeds for planting later.
By Mary H. Dyer
-
Controlling Nasturtium Plants: How To Stop Nasturtium From Self-Seeding
Did you know nasturtiums can reseed? If self-seeding nasturtiums are becoming an issue, control may be necessary. Learn more here.
By Becca Badgett
-
My Nasturtiums Are Leggy: Tips For Pruning Leggy Nasturtiums
Nasturtium is a great garden addition, but if your nasturtium gets a little leggy, it can become unruly and messy. Click here to find out more.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Nasturtium Won’t Bloom: Troubleshooting A Nasturtium With No Flowers
What if your nasturtium won’t bloom? There should be a simple reason as to why your nasturtium isn’t flowering. Explore the possibilities here.
By Becca Badgett
-
Nasturtiums As Pest Control – Planting Nasturtiums For Pest Management
Can you really use nasturtiums for pest management? If you?re fighting pests in your flower garden, you may want to give it a try! Click here to learn more about nasturtium insect management, along with a few helpful tips on how to control pests with nasturtiums.
By Mary H. Dyer
-
Picking Nasturtiums To Eat – Learn How To Harvest Edible Nasturtiums
Nasturtium is an annual that you can grow for pretty foliage and pretty flowers, but it can also be eaten. Both the flowers and leaves of nasturtium are tasty eaten raw and fresh. Harvesting nasturtium plants as food is easy, as long as you know a few simple tips found here.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Nasturtium Flowers - How To Grow Nasturtiums
Nasturtium flowers are versatile; attractive in the landscape and useful in the garden. Nasturtium plants are easy to grow and may be climbing, cascading, or bushy. Get tips on growing these flowers in this article.
By Becca Badgett