Introduction
Nasturtium is an uncommon plant occasionally seen in the garden center. Plants display round leaves on long petioles emerging from a shortened stem. Bright, showy, red or orange flowers are held among the foliage and remain partially hidden from view.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Tropaeolum x 'Jewel Mix'
Pronunciation: troe-PEE-oh-lum
Common name(s): 'Jewel Mix' nasturtium, 'Jewel Mix' watercress
Family: Tropaeolaceae
Plant type: annual; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: all zones (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 7: Jun; Jul
Planting month for zone 8: May; Jun
Planting month for zone 9: Mar; Apr; Oct; Nov
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Nov; Dec; Jan; Feb; Mar
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: may self-seed each year
Uses: container or above-ground planter; mass planting; edging; border; culinary; attracts hummingbirds; hanging basket
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
Credit:
Description
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: dense
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: coarse
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: most emerge from the soil, usually without a stem
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: undulate; lobed
Leaf shape: orbiculate
Leaf venation: palmate
Leaf type and persistence: not applicable
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: not applicable
Fall characteristic: not applicable
Flower
Flower color: red; orange
Flower characteristic: summer flowering; flower season is longer in zones 9-11
Fruit
Fruit shape: no fruit
Fruit length: no fruit
Fruit cover: no fruit
Fruit color: not applicable
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; acidic; sand; loam; clay
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 12 to 18 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: not applicable
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
The plant can be used along a walk or as a border at the edge of a landscape bed. The foliage stays fresh looking provided the plants receive some afternoon shade. They look best when provided with occasional irrigation when the weather gets dry.
Plants are useful in salads. Both flowers and foliage can be eaten and are quite nice. Surprise guests by picking bright flowers from the garden and include them in the salad.
