Tropaeolum majus

RHS Plant Profile

garden nasturtium

Other common names

greater Indian-cress, Indian cress, nasturtium

Annual Biennial Climber Wall Shrub

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A strong-growing, annual climber which will scramble over the ground or up a support. Circular, wavy-edged leaves are supported, parasol-like, by a central stalk. The long-spurred flowers, in shades of red, yellow and orange, appear in summer and autumn. The whole plant has a sharp aroma

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower Foliage Fruit

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Tropaeolaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Trailing
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Tropaeolum can be annuals or perennials, bushy, trailing or climbing by twining stems, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and showy funnel-shaped flowers with five long-clawed petals and often a spur
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in poor, well-drained soil in full sun, if the soil is too rich foliage will be produced at the expense of flowers

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to virus diseases