The nasturtium prefers a sunny to partially shaded location, but also thrives quite well in the shade. It may flower more sparsely there, but that depends on the variety you plant and also the soil.
Which location does nasturtium prefer?
The ideal location for nasturtiums is sunny to partially shaded, although they can still grow well in the shade. It prefers a nutrient-poor, slightly loamy and permeable soil with sufficient water, without waterlogging. No fertilizer for outdoor plants, little for potted plants.
The lush, climbing large nasturtium requires a relatively large amount of space, but there are also more compact varieties for smaller gardens or for planting in balcony boxes or pots. This means that virtually every gardener has the opportunity to grow this tasty and medicinal plant in their garden. The care is quite uncomplicated and the culinary uses are very diverse.
The ideal soil for nasturtiums
The nasturtium does not require very nutrient-rich soil. On the contrary! If it does too well in this regard, then it will produce plenty of leaves and grow lushly, but will hardly produce any flowers. It is therefore better to plant your nasturtium in a nutrient-poor, slightly loamy but permeable soil.
You may want to mix a little sand or fine gravel into the garden soil. Although the nasturtium needs a lot of water, it cannot tolerate waterlogging. You can completely avoid fertilizer outdoors. Only potted plants that grow luxuriantly may need a small dose of liquid fertilizer, but only once a month.
The most important things in brief:
- If possible, sunny to semi-shady location
- lots of water
- no waterlogging
- no fertilizer in the open field
- little fertilizer for potted plants
Tips & Tricks
Although the nasturtium also thrives in the shade, if you give it a spot in the sun, you are more likely to enjoy an abundance of flowers.
