Nasturtium
Scientific Name: Tropaeolum majus
⚠Toxicity⚠
The Nasturtium is considered NON-TOXIC to both cats and dogs
It’s important to remember that any plant may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs, and those with large leaves can be a choking hazard. If you believe that your pet is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance contact either your local veterinarian or the APCC 24-hour emergency poison hotline at 1-888-426-4435
General Info
ℹ The Nasturtium is native to Central and South America and has both edible leaves and flowers. They have a slight peppery flavor and taste great on salad! Though typically classified as an annual, the Nasturtium is able to live through the winter if kept indoors or in a warm climate
❓ Let me know in the comments if you have any questions regarding the Nasturtium or suggestions for plants you would like me to talk about in the future
Care Instructions
🔪How to Murder
Since Nasturtiums enjoy poor soil, cover them in poop water (fertilizer) if you really want to see them suffer, ya sicko
Honestly, it’s hardly even worth it because as annuals, these poor things are doomed already
Drowning is always an option
🌍Soil
Nasturtiums like unfertilized soil that drains quickly
💦Water
Use room-temperature, filtered or “aged” water (water left in an open container for several days to remove chlorine) if possible
Consistent moisture is ideal, but to be on the safer side, let the soil dry out a bit in-between waterings
To avoid root rot, always empty any excess water from the catch saucer under your plants
💩Fertilizer
These babies don’t like fertilizer much, so unless your soil is extremely poor (unfertile) do not use any
🌞Environment
When growing indoors, place the plant in an area with lots of direct sun
Nasturtiums prefer cooler temps so if you plant outdoors in a warmer climate, put them somewhere with partial shade
🌷Flowers
Nasturtiums have beautiful blooms that are tasty as well!
To encourage blooming, stress the plant by not watering it for a few days and then gradually increase watering and you should see blooms within a week or two
✂Pruning
Remove dead flowers to encourage new ones. If growing in a container, trim the plant back throughout the growing season or it will grow too large to support itself
🌱Propagation
Though possible to grow from cuttings, Nasturtiums are very easy to grow from seeds
Space dwarf varieties of the Nasturtium 6 to 12 inches apart if in the same container or garden bed
When planting the larger trailing type, more space is required. If using a trellis or other support, space the plants 12-18 inches apart. If no support is used, give them 2-3 feet of space to spread out
When using the cutting propagation method, cut the tip of a stem with short spaces between the leaves and remove the lower leaves using pruning shears, leaving a bare stem
Place the cutting in a container of moist perlite, sand, or moss and keep them moist for 2-3 weeks until roots are formed, then transfer the cutting to a container with potting mix
