Nasturtium flowers are loved for their colorful blooms and unique foliage. A valuable asset in both flower and vegetable gardens, nasturtiums are a tried-and-true companion plant. Though many growers first become interested in nasturtium's edibility, they’re often delighted to find that it may also help to repel many common garden pests. This is believed to be the result of certain aromatic chemicals that are released from the plant throughout the growing season.
Like other types of companion plant, nasturtium is best used within rows, or interplanted among several different crops. However, nasturtiums may be more compatible with certain plants than others.
Why Grow Nasturtiums as Companion Plants?
Companion planting is a technique that helps gardeners more efficiently utilize their planting space. Capitalizing on the concept of mutualism, different species of plants are grown in close proximity to one another as a means to create a polyculture. Companion plants serve a wide range of purposes: helping to attract pollinators, functioning as a trap crop, or even assisting in the uptake of nutrients.
While the fact-based evidence surrounding companion planting remains ambiguous, many experienced gardeners swear by its success. Diversity within companion gardens serves to enhance the backyard ecosystem, as well as help to keep plants healthy. Learning more about this concept can help you as a gardener to make informed decisions regarding the composition of beds and the placement of plants. One annual, the nasturtium, may be especially useful.
What to Plant with Nasturtiums
Most of the best companion plants for nasturtiums can be found in the vegetable garden.
Since nasturtium is known to help repel insects, it is naturally a good choice for growing near your cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and various species of melons.
Nasturtiums will help to deter many of the most troublesome pests, including cucumber beetles, vine borers, and squash bugs. The plants are also believed to help repel aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, and many more.
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Experienced gardeners have not noted any change in behavior or deterrence of pollinators and/or other beneficial insects from the introduction of nasturtiums into the vegetable garden. In fact, nasturtium is also said to enhance production and flavor of certain plants, like radishes and cucumbers.
What Not to Plant with Nasturtiums
Though it is reported that the benefits of companion planting with nasturtiums are numerous, it’s a good idea to do some careful planning.
Most cultivars of nasturtium are low growing, with a mounding habit. Nasturtium plants may quickly become shaded by larger garden species.
The same can also be true of other companions which spread aggressively. Many herbs, like mint and thyme, will multiply quickly. In these instances, it’s not uncommon for the nasturtium to be outpaced and overgrown.
Be certain to avoid any vegetables that may share the same nutrient requirements of nasturtium plants. In these cases, the flowers may find themselves in competition with other plants for vital resources like water and nutrients within the soil.
FAQs
Nasturtium companion planting works particularly well with several vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and beans. They are also great companions for squash, acting as a trap crop for pests like squash bugs and cucumber beetles. Planting nasturtium seeds under fruit trees is another great strategy.
What to companion plant with nasturtium? ›
Plant Nasturtium with these plants to keep crops healthy, fertile, and pest-free:
- broccoli.
- cabbages.
- cauliflower.
- cucumbers.
- kale.
- pumpkins.
They prefer sandy soils but do fine anywhere as long as it's a well-draining area. Usually the poorer a soil is, the more flowers you'll get. Full sun to part shade is the best exposure for nasturtiums. Plant nasturtiums in the early spring and by June you'll have blossoms for salads.
Can marigolds and nasturtiums be planted together? ›
Neighboring plants also react to pest threats and release more chemicals and antioxidants into their fruits that are beneficial to the human diet. Planting onions, hot peppers, garlic, dill, and mint as well as marigolds and nasturtiums helps to prevent aphids, beetles, caterpillars, and rodents.
Do nasturtiums like to be crowded? ›
Both types of nasturtiums can be included in mixed containers but may have to be trimmed back periodically to prevent them from crowding out the other plants. They can also be used to fill in blooming gaps among complementary colored day lilies and roses.
Can I plant nasturtiums with peppers? ›
Plant the peppers and nasturtiums within 12- to 18-inches of each other because aphids are tiny and can't travel far. As a bonus, having lots of aphids on nasturtiums will bring beneficial insects that feed on aphids, including ladybugs, hoverflies, and lacewings.
Can tomatoes and nasturtiums be planted together? ›
Three common and easy to grow companion plants for tomatoes are basil, chives, and nasturtiums. They're all edible, offer specific benefits, and serve as an all-around security detail and friendly neighbours for your tomato plants.
Can you plant nasturtiums near cucumbers? ›
Nasturtiums are not only visually appealing but also beneficial for cucumbers. These vibrant flowers attract aphids, keeping them away from your cucumber plants. Moreover, nasturtiums act as a sacrificial plant, drawing pests away from your cucumbers.
Do nasturtiums like sun or shade? ›
Plant nasturtiums in full sun (6+ hours of sunlight) for the best results. They will grow in partial shade (3–6 hours of sunlight), but won't bloom as well. Soil should be well-draining. Nasturtiums do well in poorer soils and do not typically need extra fertilizer (unless your soil is extremely poor).
How far apart should I plant nasturtium? ›
Sow and Plant
Soaking seeds in water overnight prior to planting may speed germination, but nasturtium seeds sprout best when the soil is warm. Poke seeds into the soil about 1 inch (3 cm) deep and 3 inches (8 cm) apart. Thin to 12 inches (30 cm) apart in all directions.
Marigold companion planting enhances the growth of basil, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, potatoes, squash and tomatoes. Marigold also makes a good companion plant to melons because it deters beetles. Beans and cabbage are listed as bad companion plants for marigolds.
Can you plant basil and nasturtium together? ›
Nasturtium is a good companion plant for Basil because it acts as a trap crop. Nasturtium traps pests such as aphids away from your Basil. In addition, Nasturtiums add cheerful color to the garden, and their flowers are edible.
Can you plant nasturtiums with petunias? ›
Nasturtium Companion Plants
Many varieties are sweetly fragrant (to be sure, check for aroma in the garden center.) Some are also touted as "weatherproof," which means that the flowers don't close up when splashed by water. Wave petunias have made this plant even more popular.
How do you make nasturtiums bushy? ›
Vining nasturtiums are particularly vulnerable to getting leggy and messy looking. Trim back the longest vines by 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.). This will stimulate new growth, both leaves and flowers, so that you get more branching and fill in the spaces preventing the growth of long, leafless vines.
What do you plant nasturtiums with? ›
Nasturtiums are excellent companions for brassica plants like cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts. They deter common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and cabbage loopers. Beans and Tomatoes: Aphids and other similar pests can be a big problem for beans and tomatoes.
Should you nick nasturtium seeds before planting? ›
You can see the hard, almost walnut-like seed coating on these Nasturtium seeds. For best germination, you can nick the outer coating and soak the seeds overnight before planting.
Do cucumbers like nasturtium? ›
Nasturtiums are not only visually appealing but also beneficial for cucumbers. These vibrant flowers attract aphids, keeping them away from your cucumber plants. Moreover, nasturtiums act as a sacrificial plant, drawing pests away from your cucumbers.
Does nasturtium spread? ›
In summer, nasturtium seeds are planted as far north as Finland 241 and the plant has jumped the garden fence in many areas, occasionally becoming naturalized. Coastal California is one of the few areas where nasturtium is reported as invasive.
Can nasturtiums get too much sun? ›
Garden Nasturtiums love the sun but can get too much of a good thing.
