Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Edible flowers and leaves with a peppery kick. Acts as a trap crop, luring aphids and caterpillars away from vegetables.
Overview
Companion Planting
Tomato
Cucumber
Zucchini
Pumpkin
Radish
Runner Bean
Brussels Sprouts
Kale
Turnip
Spinach
Arugula
Sunflower
Potato
EggplantToxicity
Listed as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. All parts (flowers, leaves, seeds, stems) are edible for humans and widely used in salads. Contains glucosinolates that give a peppery flavor; very large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset but the plant is not considered toxic.
Planting Tips
1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.
Care Tip: Soak seeds overnight before sowing to speed germination. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming. Nasturtiums are excellent trap crops — plant near vegetables to lure aphids away.
Common Pests
Aphids (black bean aphid, green peach aphid)
Symptoms: Clusters of small insects on stems and leaf undersides; curled, distorted, or yellowing leaves; sticky honeydew residue and sooty mold on foliage
Treatment: Blast off with a strong water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings
Prevention: Inspect plants regularly; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization which promotes soft growth attractive to aphids; encourage natural predators
Cabbage white caterpillars (Pieris rapae / Pieris brassicae)
Symptoms: Irregular holes chewed in leaves; visible green caterpillars on leaf surfaces; frass (droppings) on foliage
Treatment: Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; use neem oil
Prevention: Cover plants with fine mesh or floating row covers; inspect leaf undersides for yellow eggs and remove them
Flea beetles
Symptoms: Numerous small round holes (shot-hole damage) in leaves; leaves appear lace-like with heavy infestation; tiny dark jumping beetles visible on foliage
Treatment: Apply diatomaceous earth around plants; spray with neem oil or pyrethrin-based insecticide; use sticky traps
Prevention: Use floating row covers on young plants; keep garden beds free of debris; delay planting until soil is warmer to reduce early-season populations
Common Diseases
Powdery mildew
Symptoms: White to grayish powdery coating on leaf surfaces; affected leaves may yellow, curl, and drop prematurely; reduced vigor and flowering
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves; apply sulfur-based or potassium bicarbonate fungicide; spray diluted milk solution (1:9 milk to water) as an organic remedy
Prevention: Ensure good air circulation by proper spacing; avoid overhead watering; plant in full sun; choose resistant varieties
Bacterial leaf spot
Symptoms: Small, dark, water-soaked spots on leaves that may enlarge and develop yellow halos; spots may merge causing leaf blight; leaves wilt and drop
Treatment: Remove and destroy infected plant material; apply copper-based bactericide; avoid working with plants when foliage is wet
Prevention: Use drip irrigation instead of overhead watering; ensure good air circulation; rotate planting locations annually; do not save seed from infected plants
Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV)
Symptoms: Mottled yellow and green mosaic pattern on leaves; stunted growth; distorted, crinkled leaves; reduced flowering
Treatment: No cure exists; remove and destroy infected plants immediately to prevent spread; control aphid vectors which transmit the virus
Prevention: Control aphid populations (primary virus vector); remove nearby infected brassica weeds; use virus-free seed; plant away from other susceptible crops