Grow Moonlight Nasturtium, from freshly harvested Tropaeolum majus flower seeds. Moonlight is a trailing variety of Nasturtium, which grows to a mature length of 70 to 80 inches long. It's large leaves are roughly 4 to 5 inches wide, while its creamy yellow, almost white blooms measure roughly 3 inches in diameter. The blooms themselves are usually made up of 5 petals, two of which can be seen at the top, while the other three are located on the bottom.

Moonlight Nasturtium is a perfect addition to your flower garden and can be used as either a groundcover, due to its dense, vining coverage, or as a climber, to cover a fence or trellis. These attractive plants go great in flower beds or raised beds and are becoming more popularly used in rock gardens as well. Moonlight Nasturtium will creep over large pots & containers and makes an excellent border plant, along driveways and sidewalks, as it creeps onto the stone.

Categorized as an annual flowering plant, Moonlight Nasturtium will grow quickly from freshly harvested seeds. The plants will then bloom profusely, during the summer months, and will later wilt with the first frost. Seeds can drop to the bare ground beneath, establishing new plant life the following spring. The seeds can also be collected from the dried flower heads at the end of the season. The beautiful, soft yellow flowers will attract all sorts of beneficial insects to the garden. These insects include butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees & hummingbirds. Many gardeners sow these seeds to establish a butterfly garden, since they can be grown with other wildflowers. However, be aware that their vigorous growth can sometimes take over smaller plants nearby.

The flowers, seeds, leaves and even the stems, of your Moonlight Nasturtium plants are edible. Use early seeds as a substitute for capers, or add the leaves and flowers to salads. These delicious plants are enjoyed through the summer months, with their peppery flavors. Nasturtium flowers are also used in butters, soups and gumbo's as well.

Quick Facts

• Type: Flower
• Color: Creamy Yellow / White
• Height: 8" to 14" Tall
• Width: 70" to 80" Spread
• Season: Annual
• Zones: 3 to 10
• Environment: Full Sun

Sowing The Seed

Nasturtium seeds have a tough outer shell, which can be scarified to improve germination. Nick the seeds with a knife, or sandpaper and soak them in warm water overnight. Once this has been done, you can sow the seeds either indoors, or directly outdoors. If started indoors, sow the seeds in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last forst. Peat pots will help prevent root shock when transplanted. Sow the seeds at a depth of 1/2” under topsoil. Transplant entire pots, or direct sow outdoors when the weather has warmed and all danger of frost has passed.

Growing Conditions

Nasturtium will thrive in areas of full sunlight, with temperatures of at least 65F or higher. They require poor soils, which will promote more blooms. The sowing medium should be well drained as well. To increase your drainage, we recommend that you add a light compost to any areas containing hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily until germination has successfully occurred.

Germination & Growth

Nasturtium seeds typically take anywhere between 7 and 10 days to germinate. The plants will grow to a mature length of 70 to 80 inches long. The plants can be spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart from one another. The 3 inch, pale yellow blooms appear almost white in some instances, and will attract an array of beneficial insects to the garden, such as bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies & hummingbirds as well. The leaves, seeds, stems & flowers are all edible from Nasturtium plants.