Nasturtium Companion Plants

Want a garden that’s both beautiful and productive? The secret often lies in choosing the right plant partnerships. Using nasturtium companion plants is a brilliant way to achieve this. These vibrant flowers do more than just look pretty. They actively help their neighbors grow stronger and healthier. This guide will show you how to use nasturtiums to create a thriving, resilient garden with less work from you.

Nasturtiums are the ultimate garden team players. Their bright, cheerful blooms are just the beginning. They act as a trap crop, luring pests like aphids away from your vegetables. Their sprawling habit creates living mulch, suppressing weeds. They even improve soil health. Knowing which plants benefit most from nasturtiums is key to a successful garden plan.

Top Vegetable Companions for Nasturtiums

Many vegetables form excellent partnerships with nasturtiums. The benefits range from pest control to improved growth and flavor.

Cucumbers and Squash: Nasturtiums help deter cucumber beetles and squash bugs. They sprawl around the base, keeping the soil moist and cool.
Tomatoes and Peppers: Aphids prefer nasturtiums, so they’ll leave your solanaceous crops alone. This can reduce the spread of disease.
Legumes (Beans, Peas): Nasturtiums attract pollinators which helps with bean and pea flower set. They also repel bean beetles.
Root Vegetables (Radishes, Carrots): The strong scent of nasturtiums can confuse pests looking for your root crops. They also provide light shade for cool-season radishes.
Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale): Nasturtiums are famous for repelling whiteflies and cabbage moths. Plant them as a protective border.

Excellent Herb and Flower Partners

Don’t limit nasturtiums to the vegetable patch. They work wonderfully in ornamental and herb gardens too.

Rosemary and Sage: These aromatic herbs enjoy similar, well-drained conditions. Nasturtiums cover bare soil at their feet.
Mint (in containers): Both are vigorous growers. Pairing them in a pot creates a lush, pest-resistant display. Remember to contain the mint’s roots.
Marigolds and Calendula: Combine with nasturtiums for a powerhouse pest-deterring trio. This creates a colorful, functional garden bed.
Sunflowers: Tall sunflowers provide a perfect support for climbing nasturtium varieties. It’s a stunning vertical combination.

Plants to Keep Away from Nasturtiums

While nasturtiums are friendly to most, there’s a few exceptions. Avoid planting them near these:

Potatoes: Some gardeners find they can compete for resources or attract similar pests.
Very Dry-Loving Herbs (like Lavender): Nasturtiums prefer moderate water, which can be to much for herbs that need arid conditions.
Other Trap Crops: Don’t plant them right next to other sacrificial plants, as this can concentrate pests in one area.

How to Plant Nasturtiums for Companion Success

Getting the setup right ensures your nasturtiums and their companions thrive together. Follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Variety

Pick a nasturtium type that suits your goal. Bushy varieties (‘Alaska’, ‘Empress of India’) are great for borders and containers. Trailing types (‘Jewel of Africa’, ‘Moonlight’) are perfect for ground cover or hanging baskets. Climbing nasturtiums can cover fences or trellises.

Step 2: Planting Location and Soil

Nasturtiums love full sun but tolerate partial shade. They perform best in poor to average, well-drained soil. Rich soil makes lots of leaves but fewer flowers. Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost, about 1/2 inch deep and 10 inches apart. They germinate quickly.

Step 3: Strategic Placement

Think about your goal. To protect tomatoes, plant a circle of nasturtiums around the base. For a squash patch, interplant nasturtiums between hills. As a living mulch under fruit trees or shrubs, scatter seeds generously. For vertical interest, plant climbers at the base of a sunflower or corn stalk.

Step 4: Ongoing Care and Management

Water young plants regularly, but established nasturtiums are somewhat drought-tolerant. Avoid fertilizing. Pick the flowers and leaves regularly for salads; this encourages more blooms. Monitor the nasturtiums for pests—if aphid colonies get to large, simply cut the affected stem and dispose of it.

Beyond Pest Control: Additional Benefits

Nasturtiums offer more than just guarding other plants. Their advantages are multi-layered.

Soil Improvement: As they grow and decompose, nasturtiums add organic matter to the soil.
Weed Suppression: Their dense growth shades out weed seedlings, reducing your weeding chores.
Edible Yield: All parts are edible! The peppery leaves and flowers add zest to salads, and the seeds can be pickled as “poor man’s capers.”
Pollinator Attraction: Their bright, funnel-shaped flowers are a favorite of bees and other beneficial insects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with an easy plant like nasturtiums, a few missteps can lessen their companion effect.

Overwatering or Over-fertilizing: This leads to excessive foliage with few flowers, reducing their pest-trapping appeal.
Planting Too Densely: Give them space for air circulation to prevent mildew in humid climates.
Ignoring the Trap Crop: If you let pests overwhelm your nasturtiums, they may spill over to your crops. Manage the pest population on the nasturtiums.
Forgetting to Eat Them: You’re missing out on a tasty harvest if you don’t snip some for the kitchen.

Designing a Nasturtium Companion Garden

Here is a simple plan for a 4×4 foot garden bed that uses nasturtiums effectively.

Plant a tall sunflower or a teepee of pole beans in the center for height.
Surround the base with a ring of nasturtium seeds.
Plant a few tomato or pepper plants around the outside of the bed.
Edge the entire square with low-growing bush nasturtiums or lettuce.
This design maximizes space, provides pest protection, and creates a beautiful, layered look.

FAQ: Nasturtium Companions

What are the best companion plants for nasturtiums?

The best companions are cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, radishes, and fruit trees like apple and cherry. Herbs like rosemary and flowers like marigolds also pair well.

Can I plant nasturtiums with roses?

Yes, absolutely. Nasturtiums can help deter aphids from your rose bushes. They make a colorful, living ground cover around the base.

Do nasturtiums improve soil?

They can help improve soil structure as green matter and attract beneficial insects. However, they are not a major nitrogen-fixer like beans.

Why are my nasturtiums not flowering?

This is usually due to soil that is to rich or an excess of nitrogen. They also need plenty of sunlight. Poor soil actually promotes better flowering.

Are nasturtiums good for pollinators?

Yes, their bright, open flowers are excellent for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects to your garden.

Using nasturtium companion plants is a simple, natural strategy for a healthier garden. By understanding these partnerships, you can reduce pests, improve growth, and create a more beautiful and bountiful space. Start by planting a few seeds near your cucumbers or tomatoes this season. You’ll likely be amazed by the positive difference they make, and your garden will be more vibrant because of it.