Photo: George Chernilevsky · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Garden nasturtium
Nasturtium is the vining, edible flower of the garden-to-cake movement — peppery petals used in salads and on wedding cakes, round shield-leaves as textural interest, trailing stems that cascade over bouquet edges. Fragile and hyper-seasonal; buy from local farms during summer only.
| Family | Tropaeolaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | South America; commercially grown by local farms |
| Peak season | June, July, August, September |
| Availability | May to October |
| Stem length | 20–60 cm |
| Vase life | 3–6 days |
| Colors | yellow, orange, red, burgundy, coral |
| Price tier | premium |
Cut in the early morning, plunge into cool water immediately. Vining stems bruise easily.
- •Vining stem — perfect for cascade edges
- •Both flowers and leaves are edible (peppery — used in salads and cake work)
- •Short vase life — event-day only
- •Round shield-shaped leaves are as photogenic as flowers
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- Indian cress
- Also known as
- Indian cress, Cardamindum majus, Nasturtium indicum, Tropaeolum atrosanguineum, Tropaeolum chaixianum, Tropaeolum compactum, Tropaeolum elatum, Tropaeolum hortense, Tropaeolum hybridum, Tropaeolum majas, Tropaeolum majus altum, Tropaeolum majus brunneum
- Distribution
- Caribbean, Jardín Botánico de Bogotá, Málaga, North America, Oceania, Peru, SFF Iguaque
- Uses
- medicinal plant, spice
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Garden nasturtium in season?
Garden nasturtium peaks in June, July, August, September, and florists can usually source it May to October. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Garden nasturtium last in a vase?
Expect 3–6 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Garden nasturtium?
Good substitutes for Garden nasturtium include Clematis, Sweet pea. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Garden nasturtium symbolise?
Garden nasturtium is associated with conquest, victory in battle, patriotism.
How do you care for cut Garden nasturtium?
Vining stem — perfect for cascade edges
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Garden nasturtium”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/garden-nasturtium/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/garden-nasturtium/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Garden nasturtium</a>