Nasturtium is a small herb, so it is well suited to pot life. Indeed, different varieties are often planted together in the same planter to have different colored flowers in a small space. There is therefore no need to wonder whether or not it is possible to keep it in a container during its life, but rather how to take care of it.
And fortunately, it is a very grateful plant, very easy to care for and also produces many flowers almost without receiving any care. But how to make it pretty? For this we will tell you what is the care of the potted nasturtium.
How to maintain a potted nasturtium? It is a fast-growing plant, to the point that it flowers just a few weeks after sowing its seeds. Likewise, it must be said that she is very grateful, since that does not require specific or complicated care to go well
Therefore, I consider that it is perfect for those who do not have much experience in plant careregardless of their age, since both the flowers and the leaves are edible (although you should know that the leaves are a little more bitter and pungent than the flowers).
And that said, let’s see what care you need:
Contents
Where to put it?
Nasturtium is an herb that requires direct sun to grow. We will therefore keep it outside, because at home it would not have enough light and its stems would be etiolated, that is to say they would stretch and the plant would surely not flower, otherwise it would would be very difficult to do.
Likewise, it is important that it stays a little away from plants that can shade it at some pointsuch as trees, palms or bushes.
What pot do you need?
What is certain is that Any pot that isn’t too big will do.. The nasturtium is relatively small, with adult dimensions as follows: 30 centimeters high by about 20 centimeters wide, more or less. It often happens that as it grows it becomes a bit hanging or creeping, but don’t worry: its roots aren’t invasive, but they are quite tender, so there’s no chance of them breaking the pot.
But the question is, what should this container be: plastic, clay? Well, that depends on your taste and your budget. It can even be ceramic if you wish. what yes it is important that it has a hole in its base Well, if there’s anything our protagonist doesn’t tolerate, it’s excess water in his roots.
What soil to put on it?
The nasturtium requires fertile and light soil, but if irrigation is controlled, will serve as the universal substrate of virtually any brand: Compo, Flower, Weedness, Boom Nutrients, etc. If you want one, click on the brand and you can receive it after a few days.
Other alternatives are mulch, coir, or black peat moss mixed with a little perlite. I do not recommend putting soil from the gardensince this will surely contain seeds of other herbs that will sprout as soon as you start watering your nasturtium.
How often to water the potted nasturtium?
Irrigation will be done more or less frequently depending on temperatures and rainfall, since during the hottest season of the year the land dries out much faster than during the rainiest. For all that, it is important that it be watered several times a week during the summer months, and a little less the rest of the seasons.
We must pour water into the soil, although we can also wet the plant if it is not yet in bloom and if it is watered at sunset, when the sun no longer hits it directly.
Should it be paid?
It is very interesting to pay it in spring and summer, coinciding with flowering. But taking into account that its flowers attract various pollinating insects, it is advisable to use fertilizers of organic origin such as earthworm humus or guano so as not to endanger these animals. Likewise, it should be liquid fertilizers so that the roots can absorb them more quickly.
And of course, even if they are natural, instructions for use must be followedbecause otherwise we would be putting the life of the nasturtium in danger.
When should it be transplanted?
the transplant It will only be done if it is a plant that we want to go from seedling to pot, or if it is a plant that we have just bought.. In the first case, we must ensure that it continues to grow as soon as we see that the roots come out of the holes, or if they grow very close to said holes.
And we should also do it if we bought one with flowers, for the same reason. The transplant will be done in the springalthough it can also be done in early summer.
Nasturtium Pests
It is very susceptible to attacks from aphids, which feed on the sap. You can eliminate them by cleaning the leaves and stems with water, but then it is advisable to treat it with diatomaceous earth of which we leave you a video:
In addition, you have to protect it from snails. In fact, what is often done is to plant a lot of nasturtiums in orchards so that these animals leave the other plants alone. Therefore, it is very, very important to carry out preventive treatments against snails, such as putting chopped eggshells around.
We hope you enjoy your potted nasturtium.