(Tropaeolum minus ‘Empress of India’)
Empress of India Nasturtium is an introduced, cool weather, frost tender annual flower that is native to South America that can be found growing in moist mountainous areas throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant can reach the height of 12” and features rounded light green leaves and 2 1/2” 5 petaled bright red aromatic flowers. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, repels squash bugs, self sows, is resistant to deer and rabbits, used to make insecticides, has medicinal properties, and can be sued as a trap crop for aphids!
Genus: Tropaeolum
Species: minus
Variety: Empress of India Nasturtium
Native to: Ecuador, Peru.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Maturity (Bloom): May-September
Growing Habit: Bush
Hardiness: Half Hardy. Nasturtiums will sprout again after a light frost but will not tolerate a hard freeze.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring
Growing Season: Short, Long
Growing Conditions: Cool, Warm. Nasturtiums will grow best in a sunny part of the garden in areas with cooler summers, but should be placed in a partially shady spot in areas with hotter summer days.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 50°F - 90°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 55°F. Seeds will germinate at 55 to 68˚F but will take longer to germinate above 65˚F
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cool). Nasturtiums grow best in the sun in areas with cooler summers.
Water: Moderate. For the best flavor, keep nasturtiums well watered. This helps to neutralize the spiciness of the greens and flowers.
Feeder: Light. Grow nasturtium in soil that is higher in Phosphorus and Potassium than Nitrogen. Growing Nasturtiums in nitrogen rich soil produces more vegetative growth and discourages blooming.
Suitability: Needs summer shade
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes. Dwarf varieties are well-suited for container growing. Some Trailing varieties can be placed in a hanging container.
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes
Plant Height: 12-15"
Spacing: 6-12"
Sow Depth: 1/4-1/2"
Hardiness Zone: 3a-9b
Produces: brilliant crimson flowers that are set off by the deep blue-green leaves.
Soil Preparation
Soil pH: 6.1-7.8, Ideal 6.5-7.5. Many gardeners prefer growing Nasturtiums in nitrogen poor soil, as nitrogen rich soil encourages more vegetative growth with less blooms. Grow in well drained soil. In gardens with very sandy soils, add compost to help retain moisture.
Soil Preparation:
Compost (Nitrogen), 2", in top 6" of soil, 1 time: In gardens with very sandy soils, add compost to help retain moisture. Otherwise omit.
Start Indoors
Soil temp for germination: 55°F to 70°F, optimal 60°F to 65°F, optimal 65°F
Total weeks to grow transplant: 5 to 7 (Spring/Summer), 5 to 7 (Fall/Winter)
Germinate:
1-2 weeks before last frost date: For Spring planting, it is a good idea to put your seed in the freezer for a day or two, then thaw for a day. If you freeze them just before planting, you will significantly improve the germination rate of the seed. Soaking your seeds before planting also helps.
Sow 2 seeds each in individual 4" pots of well-drained seed starting mix 3 weeks before the last expected frost date. Cover 1" deep. Provide a strong light source. When seedlings have several sets of leaves pinch out the weaker seedling leaving 1 per pot.
Harden Off:
1 weeks after last frost date. When weather is evenly in the 50˚ F range harden off by leaving the plants outside for longer periods of time each day.
Transplant Outdoors
Cool, Warm: Nasturtiums will grow best in a sunny part of the garden in areas with cooler summers, but should be placed in a partially shady spot in areas with hotter summer days.
When outdoor temp: 50°F to 90°F, optimal temp 60°F to 75°F
When min soil temp: 55°F. Seeds will germinate at 55 to 68˚F but will take longer to germinate above 65˚F
Spacing: 6"-12", 1 plants per sq ft
Plant seeds 6 to 12" apart.
Support: No
Start Outdoors
When outdoor temp: 50°F to 90°F, optimal temp 60°F to 75°F
When min soil temp: 55°F. Seeds will germinate at 55 to 68˚F but will take longer to germinate above 65˚F
Seed Depth: 0.25"-0.5". Plant nasturtiums seeds 1/2" deep for best results. Some gardeners soak the seeds in warm water overnight for higher germination rates.
Spacing: 6-12", 1 plants per sq ft. Plant seeds 6 to 12" apart.
Spring Crop:
2-4 weeks after last frost date: For Spring planting, it is a good idea to put your seed in the freezer for a day or two, then thaw for a day. If you freeze them just before planting, you will significantly improve the germination rate of the seed. Soaking your seeds before planting also helps. Sow seeds in spring once all danger of frost is over in full sun (or part shade in hot climates). Nasturtiums need no added fertilizer in most soils. Poke seeds into well-worked soil about 1" deep and 3 to 4" apart (thinning later to the recommended spacing, keeping only the healthiest and most productive plants). Press soil firmly over the seeds and keep moist.
Support: No
Water Needs: Moderate. For the best flavor, keep nasturtiums well watered. This helps to neutralize the spiciness of the greens and flowers.
Fertilizer Needs: Light. Grow nasturtium in soil that is higher in Phosphorus and Potassium than Nitrogen. Growing Nasturtiums in nitrogen rich soil produces more vegetative growth and discourages blooming.
Support: No
Harvesting
Storage
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-2 days
Seed Viability in Years: 3 - 4 years
Germination Percentage: 70%
Culinary Use: Both the leaves and flowers are edible raw and add a sweet and spicy kick to salads. Nasturtium leaves can also be made into a pesto.
Roots: Not edible.
Companions: Nasturtiums are available in compact or trailing forms. They flower well in poor soil and tend to produce more leaves than flowers if you plant them in the rich soil of the vegetable garden. Trailing types are pretty in a window box with marigolds and other annuals.
Enemies: None known.
Suggested Varieties
(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Kentucky Wonder')
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean is a heirloom, tender warm weather annual vegetable that is native to California where it was introduced in 1940 by Ferry-Morse Seed Co. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 72-96” and features long vines, green spade-shaped leaves, 7-10” green snap bean pods, and tiny flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is disease resistant, creates bio mass, tolerates drought, makes dye and fabric, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Lazy Housewife')
(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Royalty Purple Pod')
Royalty Purple Pod Bean is a heirloom, tender warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New Hampshire where it was developed by the University of New Hampshire, and introduced by Billy Helper Seed Company in 1957. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features erect stems, green spade-shaped leaves, 5-6” bright-purple bean pods, and tiny flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, creates bio mass, tolerates drought, makes dye and fabric, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield')
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to England, but was first grown in the United States in 1840 by Francis Brill of Jersey City. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features dark-green, conical heads averaging 5" in diameter and weighing 2 to 3 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbits safe (in moderation), can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Brassica oleracea 'Late Flat Dutch')
Late Flat Dutch Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Netherlands, but was first offered in the United States by D. M. Ferry & Company in 1924. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features blue-green flat 12” heads that weigh up to 15 pounds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre')
Red Acre Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to southern Europe, but is commonly grown in the northern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features reddish purple round heads that weight up to 3 pounds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Brassica rapa 'Pak Choi')
Pak Choi Chinese Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to southern China, but has been commercially grown in the United States for more than 100 years. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-18” and features a head of smooth, dark green leaves with thick white stalks. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Cucumis sativus 'Lemon')
Lemon Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to India, but was introduced into the United States by Samuel Wilson in 1894. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3-4' and features 2-4” round, yellow cucumbers that bare black spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, deters cucumber beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore 76')
Marketmore 76' Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New York, where it was developed in Ithaca by Henry Munger at Cornell University in 1976. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4-6' and features 8-9” straight, dark green, slightly tapered, white spined cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, deters cucumber beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Melothria scabra 'Mexican Sour Gherkin')
Mexican Sour Gherkin Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. But is commonly grown in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-48” and features 1" green and white watermelon shaped melons. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is edible!
(Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling')
National Pickling Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Michigan, where it was developed by George Starr of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station in 1924. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-48” and features 6” medium green, tender skin cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Straight Eight')
Straight Eight Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Massachusetts, where it was developed by Ferry-Morse Seed Company in 1935. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12' and features 8” straight, dark green cucumbers with white spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!