herb
EdibleNasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (source: ASPCA).
A sunny south-facing window with 6+ hours, or a grow light.
Keep evenly moist — water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Forgiving and beginner-friendly.
Nasturtium is an easy edible flower whose round leaves and brightly colored blooms both have a peppery, watercress-like bite good in salads. It thrives on neglect and lean soil; rich soil gives lots of leaves but few flowers.
About Nasturtium
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is an easy edible flower from South America whose round leaves and bright blooms both carry a peppery, watercress-like bite good in salads. It trails or mounds and can climb, so one plant spreads widely from a 4-litre pot and earns its place by giving both foliage and colour on a sunny sill. For a renter it is about as low-effort as edibles get.
The one counterintuitive rule is to keep the soil lean. Rich, well-fed soil gives lots of leaves but few flowers, so go easy on fertilizer. Give it the brightest spot you have for the most blooms, and harvest flowers and young leaves regularly to keep it producing. It takes moderate water and grows readily from its large seeds or from cuttings. Leaves and flowers are ready to pick around 35 to 55 days.
What it’s like to grow
Nasturtium thrives on a bit of neglect, which makes it a forgiving beginner plant. The most common complaint is all leaves and no flowers, and that almost always means the soil is too rich, so cut back on feeding. Aphids like to cluster on the stems and leaf undersides, so check there if growth looks distorted. It wants bright light and moderate water. It is a cheerful, easygoing pick for a sunny window, and it is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
What to expect
First harvest in about 35–55 days. It’s forgiving, so it’s a good one to learn on. No sunny window? It also does fine under a clip-on grow light.
See what you’ll need to get started ↓♻ Regrow from scraps
Root a cut stem in water until roots form, then pot it; it also grows very easily from its large seeds.
Companions
Tips
- Go easy on fertilizer; too-rich soil gives leaves at the expense of flowers.
- Give it the brightest spot you have for the most blooms.
- Harvest flowers and young leaves regularly to keep it producing.
Common problems
- Few flowers and all foliage when overfed.
- Aphids cluster on stems and leaf undersides.
Common questions
Is Nasturtium toxic to cats and dogs?
Nasturtium is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a safe pick if you have pets. Source: ASPCA.
How much light does Nasturtium need?
Nasturtium wants bright light — a south-facing window with six or more hours of sun, or a grow light to make up for it.
How often should I water Nasturtium?
Water Nasturtium when the top inch of soil feels dry, then let it drain. Aim for evenly moist, not soggy.
What temperature does Nasturtium need?
Nasturtium is happiest around 13–24 °C. It tolerates brief dips to about 2 °C, but cold drafts and sudden chills set it back.
How long does Nasturtium take to grow?
Expect a first harvest about 35–55 days from sowing under good conditions. Both the peppery round leaves and the bright edible flowers are harvested; it trails or mounds and blooms steadily in a sunny spot.
Can I grow Nasturtium without a sunny window?
Yes. Nasturtium does well under an affordable clip-on grow light, so a bright window isn't essential.
How big does Nasturtium get?
A trailing or mounding plant ~0.3 m tall that can climb; one plant spreads widely.
How do I propagate Nasturtium?
Soak the large seeds overnight and sow them directly into the final pot.
What pests affect Nasturtium?
Watch for aphids, whitefly, spider mites and cabbage loopers. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves often, and treat early with a rinse or insecticidal soap before they spread.
Is Nasturtium easy to grow?
Yes. Nasturtium is forgiving and one of the better plants to learn on.
Gear for Nasturtium
Gear suggestions to get you started — general picks, not paid placements.
Pet-toxicity from the ASPCA. Care details are general guidance, not professional or veterinary advice; only eat plants you can positively identify as the edible plant and part described. Photo: George Chernilevsky, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (PD). Care info last updated 2026-06-02.