Learning how to prune nasturtium is a simple task that makes a huge difference in your garden. These vibrant, easy-to-grow flowers can sometimes get a bit too enthusiastic, but with a few easy cuts, you can keep them looking their best and blooming non-stop.
Pruning isn’t just about control. It encourages more of those beautiful, edible flowers and keeps the plant healthy. Whether you’re growing them in a pot, over a trellis, or as ground cover, the techniques are straightforward. Let’s get your nasturtiums in perfect shape.
How To Prune Nasturtium
The main goal of pruning is to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. It also helps prevent disease by improving air flow. You don’t need fancy tools—just a pair of clean, sharp scissors or garden snips will do the trick.
What You’ll Need
- Clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors
- Gardening gloves (optional, but nice for bigger jobs)
- A small container or basket for collecting clippings
When to Prune Your Nasturtiums
Timing is flexible with nasturtiums. You can give them a light trim anytime they start to look leggy or sparse. For a more significant prune, mid-summer is often ideal. This gives them time to recover and put on a fresh show of blooms before fall.
Avoid heavy pruning late in the season when temperatures are cooling. The plant’s energy is shifting, and it won’t regrow as quickly. A light tidy-up is fine, but save the big cuts for earlier.
Signs Your Plant Needs Pruning
- Long stems with lots of space between leaves.
- Flower production has slowed down or stopped.
- The center of the plant looks dense and tangled.
- Yellowing or dead leaves are accumulating.
Step-by-Step Pruning Guide
Follow these simple steps for a healthier, happier plant. Always make your cuts cleanly, and don’t be afraid—nasturtiums are very resilient.
Step 1: Remove Dead or Damaged Growth
Start by looking for any leaves or stems that are yellow, brown, or clearly damaged. Snip these off at the base where they meet a main stem. This cleans up the plant and prevents potential problems from spreading.
Step 2: Trim Leggy Stems
Find the longest, thinnest stems. Follow them back to a healthy set of leaves or a leaf node (the bump on the stem where leaves grow). Make your cut just above this point. This encourages the plant to branch out from that spot, creating a fuller appearance.
Step 3: Thin Out Dense Areas
If the center of your plant is very thick, selectively remove a few stems entirely. Cut them at the soil line. This allows light and air to reach the inner parts of the plant, which reduces the risk of mildew and other fungal issues.
Step 4: Deadhead Spent Flowers
To keep blooms coming, regularly pinch or snip off flowers that have faded and begun to wilt. Follow the flower stem down to the first set of leaves and cut there. If you miss a few, it’s okay—they’ll form seeds, but deadheading tells the plant to make more flowers instead.
Pruning for Different Growing Styles
How you prune can depend on how your nasturtium is growing. A trailing variety on a fence needs a different approach than a compact bush type in a container.
For Bushy Varieties in Containers
Pinch or snip off the very tip of each main stem when the plant is young. This simple action, called tip-pruning, forces it to grow two new stems from that point. Repeat this as it grows for an incredibly dense, floriferous pot of color.
For Trailing or Climbing Varieties
You can let these run longer, but still prune for fullness. Trim back the longest runners by about one-third to encourage side shoots. If you’re training them on a trellis, weave the stems in loosely and trim any that are getting out of bounds.
For Ground Cover
The key here is to prevent them from smothering other plants. Regularly trim the edges to keep them in their area. Also, thin out sections that are becoming matted to ensure good air circulation close to the soil, which is crucial for health.
What to Do With Your Clippings
Don’t throw those trimmings away! Nasturtiums are entirely edible. The leaves and flowers have a lovely, peppery taste.
- Add young leaves and flowers to fresh salads.
- Blend leaves into pesto for a spicy kick.
- Use the bright flowers to garnish soups and plates.
- If the stems are tough or you have to much, simply add them to your compost pile.
Common Pruning Mistakes to Avoid
Even with an easy plant, a few missteps can happen. Here’s what to watch out for.
- Over-pruning: Never remove more than one-third of the plant at one time. Taking to much can stress it.
- Using Dull Tools: This creates ragged cuts that can damage the stem and invite disease.
- Pruning at the Wrong Time: As mentioned, late-season heavy pruning isn’t advised.
- Not Cleaning Up: Leaving all the clippings around the base of the plant can harbor pests and mold.
Post-Pruning Care
After pruning, your nasturtiums will appreciate a little drink if the soil is dry. They generally don’t need fertilizer; in fact, rich soil leads to more leaves and fewer flowers. Just ensure they have good sunlight and well-draining soil, and they’ll bounce back quickly.
Keep an eye on new growth. Those are the signs your pruning was successful. You should see new leaves and flower buds forming at the points where you made your cuts within a week or two.
FAQ About Pruning Nasturtiums
How often should you prune nasturtiums?
A light pruning session every 3-4 weeks during the peak growing season is plenty. Regular deadheading can be done whenever you’re in the garden.
Can pruning help with pests like aphids?
Yes! Aphids often congregate on new, soft growth. Pruning off heavily infested tips and thinning the plant to improve air flow can make it less inviting for them. Sometimes a strong spray of water is all thats needed after you prune.
Do I need to prune if I want nasturtium seeds?
If you want to collect seeds, stop deadheading flowers in late summer. Allow several flowers to fade and form the distinctive three-part seed pods. You can still prune for shape, but leave those seed-bearing stems alone until the pods are dry and papery.
Is it okay to prune young nasturtium plants?
Absolutely. Pinching back the tips of young seedlings when they have 3-4 sets of true leaves is the best way to ensure a bushy, compact plant from the start. Don’t wait until they are leggy.
Why are my nasturtiums not flowering after pruning?
This is usually related to soil, not pruning. Too much nitrogen (from fertilizer or rich soil) causes all leaf growth. Ensure they are in moderate to poor soil and getting full sun. Patience is also key—they need a week or two to redirect energy.
Pruning your nasturtiums is a simple and rewarding part of garden maintenance. With just a few minutes of care, you direct their growth, boost their blooms, and keep them thriving all season long. Remember, these are tough plants, so you can approach pruning with confidence. The results—a lush, vibrant, and productive plant—are well worth the minimal effort.