How to Plant Nasturtiums in a Hanging Basket

Growing nasturtiums in hanging baskets allows you to add a splash of color to the surroundings.

Nasturtium includes two species, Tropaeolum majus and Tropaeolum minor and is often referred to as Indian cress, Peruvian cress, Mexican cress or garden nasturtium. This plant comes in various cultivars and as either dwarf, bushy plants or as climbing vines that grow well in hanging baskets. Nasturtiums are grown not only for the beautiful flowers produced in numerous colors, but as an edible plant. The blossoms, leaves and undeveloped or developed seed pods are all suitable for eating.

Things You'll Need

• Soil mix
• Seeds

Instructions

1. Fill a hanging basket with a sandy, well-drained soil. Or mix your own using 1 part loam, 1 part peat moss with 2 parts sand. Dampen the soil.

2. Plant two nasturtium seeds no more than 1 inch deep in small hanging baskets, or space two seeds every 3 inches in larger baskets.

3. Put the hanging basket in a sunny location. Check the soil often and water as needed to maintain moist soil until seedlings emerge in one to two weeks.

4. Add water to the nasturtium when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dries. Water the plant until you see water drain out the bottom.

5. Thin the nasturtium to one plant per spot when the seedlings reach 4 inches tall.

Tips & Warnings

• Move the plant to a spot with shade in the afternoon during the hottest part of summer, if the nasturtium stops producing blossoms.

• Do not fertilize nasturtium plants.

References

• Floridata; Tropaeolum Majus; Steve Christman; April 2000
• University of Vermont; Tropaeolum Majus; Leonard Perry
• University of Florida Extension; Nasturtium, Garden -- Tropaeolum Majus; James M. Stephens; May 1994
• Plant of the Week; Tropaeolum Majus -- Nasturtium; Cal Lemke