Common Name: Nasturtium

General Information

Tropaeolum majus is an annual to short-lived perennial plant. It can vary in habit from a dwarf plant growing only 30cm tall, to a climbing plant with stems up to 3.5 metres long. The stems scramble over the ground and into the surrounding vegetation, supporting themselves by twisting their leaf stalks around the plants[, ].
A very ornamental and free-flowering species, the nasturtium is commonly grown in flower gardens around the world[]. There are many named ornamental varieties, some of which are low-growing forms that do not climb[, , ]. The plant also provides edible leaves, flowers and seeds, has various local medicinal applications and insect repelling properties.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

S. America - Peru. A garden escape, locally naturalized in parts Europe[]

Habitat

Coastal and disturbed areas; at elevations from sea level to 3,000 metres.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	3.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tropaeolum majus is not winter hardy in most of the temperate zone but it is often grown in the flower garden as a spring-sown annual when it will frequently self-sow[]. In cold springs, however, the seed will often not germinate until mid or even late summer, which is too late to produce a reasonable crop[].
Tolerates most soils[], though it prefers a rich light well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade[, , ]. More and lusher leaves are produced when the plant is growing in a rich soil, though less flowers are produced[]. When grown in a soil of low fertility the leaves are smaller and less lush, though more flowers are produced[, ] The plant will also succeed in very poor soils[]. It dislikes drought[].
The flowers have a very pleasing mild scent[]. The Gleam Hybrid cultivars are more strongly scented[].
Slugs and snails love eating this plant, so it can be grown to attract them away from other species[]. The caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly can be a nuisance and often cause considerable damage to the leaves[].
Slugs and snails love eating this plant, so it can be grown to attract them away from other plants[]. The caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly can be a nuisance and often cause considerable damage to the leaves[].
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Edible Uses

Leaves - raw[, , , , , ]. A hot watercress flavour[]. Very nice on its own or as a flavouring in mixed salads[]. Rich in vitamin C[]. The leaves are available from early summer until the first frosts of the autumn[].

Flowers - raw[, , , , , ]. A very ornamental and tasty addition to the salad bowl, the flowers have a hot watercress flavour and are available all through the summer[, ]. The flowers contain about 130mg vitamin C per 100g[].

Young seed pods - raw[, , , , ]. These are even hotter than the flowers or leaves[]. They can also be harvested whilst immature and pickled for use as a caper substitute[, ].

Seed - raw or cooked[]. Very hot[]. The mature seed can be ground into a powder and used as a pepper substitute[]. The seed contains 26% protein and 10% oil[].

Medicinal

Nasturtium has long been used in Andean herbal medicine as a disinfectant and wound-healing herb, and as an expectorant to relieve chest conditions[]. All parts of the plant appear to be antibiotic and an infusion of the leaves can be used to increase resistance to bacterial infections and to clear nasal and bronchial catarrh[]. The remedy seems to both reduce catarrh formation and stimulate the clearing and coughing up of phlegm[].

The leaves are antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, aperient, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, laxative and stimulant[, , ]. A glycoside found in the plant reacts with water to produce an antibiotic[].

The plant has antibiotic properties towards aerobic spore forming bacteria[]. Extracts from the plant have anticancer activity[]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of genito-urinary diseases, respiratory infections, scurvy and poor skin and hair conditions[]. Externally it makes an effective antiseptic wash and is used in the treatment of baldness, minor injuries and skin eruptions[]. Any part of the plant can be used, it is harvested during the growing season and used fresh[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The growing plant attracts aphids away from other plants. Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above the flowers[].
A good companion plant in the garden, growing well with radishes, cabbages and fruit trees, improving their growth and flavour[, ]. A good companion for many plants, keeping many harmful insects at bay and also improving the growth and flavour of neighbouring crops[].
Aphids on nasturtiums indicate a lime deficiency in the soil[].

Other Uses

The seeds yield a high percentage of a drying oil that can be used in making paints, varnish etc[].

An insecticide can be made from an infusion of leaves and soap flakes[].

Propagation

Seed - sow mid spring in situ. The seed usually germinates within 2 weeks. Seed can also be sown in early spring in pots in a greenhouse and planted out in late spring or early summer.