Nasturtiums
Best varieties: Jewel Mix (compact), Alaska (variegated leaves), Empress of India (dark red), Trailing / Climbing
Easy
Annual
🐾 Pet Safe
🌲 PNW Growing Notes
Edible flowers AND leaves with a peppery kick. Practically indestructible. Thrives in poor soil—too-rich soil produces leaves but few flowers. Great companion plant.
☀️ Light
Full sun to part shade
💧 Water
Moderate—drought tolerant
🪨 Soil
Average to poor, well-drained
📏 Spacing
12" apart
📅 Planting Timeline (Seattle)
🌱
Direct Sow
Apr–May
🌸
Bloom Season
Jun–Oct
💡 Pro Tip
Don’t fertilize—poor soil means more flowers. Leaves and flowers are edible and beautiful in salads. Acts as a trap crop for aphids.
🤝 Companion Planting
✅ Good Companions
Tomatoes, Squash, Beans, Fruit Trees