Dwarf nasturtium, ideal for having a superflowered balcony

Hello green thumbs!

If you’re looking to transform your balcony into a vibrant floral paradise, let me introduce you to the charming Dwarf nasturtium. These compact beauties are perfect for small spaces and pack a colorful punch!

Why Dwarf Nasturtiums?

• Compact size: Ideal for balconies and containers
• Abundant blooms: Produces a profusion of flowers
• Low maintenance: Easy to grow and care for
• Edible: Both flowers and leaves are tasty in salads

Quick Facts:

• Scientific name: Tropaeolum minus
• Height: 12-18 inches
• Spread: 12-18 inches
• Bloom time: Summer to fall
• Colors: Red, orange, yellow, and bicolors

Plant these little gems in well-draining soil and provide full sun to partial shade. Water moderately and watch as your balcony transforms into a superflowered oasis!

For more gardening tips, check out my blog.

Happy gardening!.

Among the many flowers we can choose for a super-flowering balcony, the dwarf nasturtium is certainly among the most beautiful. This plant, which comes in very bright colors, including yellow, orange and even red, can be grown indoors and on our terrace. It is characterized by intensely but delicately scented flowers, with a smell vaguely reminiscent of honey (and in fact, bees often perch on nasturtium plants!). As we said, it is not only ideal for gardens, but also to be planted in pots to beautify the balcony. How to do it? We tell you.

Dwarf nasturtium, what it is.

A simple plant to care for, but also easy to grow and which, by the way, is fast growing. If well maintained, the dwarf nasturtium can reach up to 30 cm in growth, and it blooms in summer and fall. In gardens, it is perfect for flower beds and borders, but fortunately we can take care of it on our balcony as well. Native to South America, specifically Peru, it is a member of the Tropaeolaceae family and livens up vegetable gardens, gardens and balconies with its colorful, fragrant, abundantly blooming flowers. The meaning of nasturtium in the language of flowers is strength: it represents those who never give up in the face of difficulties. In the past it symbolized struggle and was often engraved on shields, helmets and swords.

The ideal time to sow dwarf nasturtium

This is one of the most popular plants for homes and gardens, but when to sow it? The definitely perfect time is with the approach of spring, that is, between February and March. The reason is simple: during these months the soil is free of ice, so the nasturtium will have no problems while growing. We suggest, however, to plant it in a yes-sunny area., but not excessively: in this way the plant will grow healthy and strong, ready to give a fragrant and super colorful bloom.

How to grow dwarf nasturtium

The good news is that growing dwarf nasturtium is not difficult at all. That’s right: there are so many indoor plants and flowers, and it is not always mandatory to have a so-called green thumb to take the best care of the plant. While it does not need special attention, it is still important to structure a plan to maintenance for the plant. First, let’s focus on the soil, which should be draining and rich in organic matter, with neutral pH. I potting soils with soil conditioners are perfect for dwarf nasturtiums: they should be enriched with mycorrhizae and should be peat-free if possible.

It should be sown from March to May outside, so in the ground or in pots, but also from February, but choose a protected environment. You have to place the seeds at a distance (about 45 centimeters), in groups of 3-5 seeds, as experts say.

How to care for dwarf nasturtium?

As anticipated, the plant should then not be placed in direct contact with the sun (perhaps even in the shade of other plants, never, however, in a windy area). In autumn, it should also be pruned, so that by the following spring the flowering will continue to be lush. Let’s move on to fertilization, an equally important topic for plant maintenance: the potting soil should be mixed with granular fertilizer and possibly should be enriched with mycorrhizae. The fertilization process should be repeated about every 20 to 30 days, whether growing in the ground or in pots. The adult plant of dwarf nasturtium can also be fertilized with liquid fertilizer.

How often to water dwarf nasturtium? First of all, the dwarf nasturtium plant germinates after 10-15 days, if well placed in the sun and with drained soil. Watering should be done regularly, but beware of the most common danger when it comes to plants: giving too much water! This is because the soil may become soggy and promote rot, as well as expose the plant to insect attacks. In spring especially, regular watering is absolutely recommended, avoiding water stagnation. During hot periods, then during peak summer temperatures, it is useful to plan for increased watering.

Dwarf nasturtium diseases and insects.

Like any plant, it happens that dwarf nasturtium is also attacked by Leaf and root insects, such as mealybugs, aphids, and mites. There is, fortunately, a remedy for every problem: many natural products come in handy to take care of the garden or terrace at their best, such as linseed oil against mealybugs and mites, pyrethrum against aphids and bedbugs, Neem oil against whiteflies, aphids and lepidoptera, and more. Among the Fungal diseases of dwarf nasturtium, on the other hand, white blight, mildew, rust, and scab are mentioned.

How to care for dwarf nasturtium according to the seasons

Each plant follows its own natural cycle, so it is only fair that, for each season, we provide some sort of “maintenance” plan, especially in autumn and winter, when the dwarf nasturtium still needs a little attention from us.

• Winter: The plant is “sleeping,” not in a vegetative state, so it is not producing flowers or leaves. But this does not mean that we should not take care of it. As we have seen, the soil must always be hydrated: we recommend watering at least once a month, if not twice when temperatures are higher. At the end of the season, straddling spring, you can repot the nasturtium;
• Spring/Autumn: The soil should never be dry during this period, so be sure to water it regularly;
• Summer: We proceed with regular watering, at least 3 times a week.

The uses of dwarf nasturtium in cooking.

Did you know that the Dwarf nasturtium can be used in cooking.? In addition to being a garden or balcony plant, it can actually even be exploited in the kitchen and in so many recipes. Dwarf nasturtium is edible (both flowers and leaves, and the latter are vaguely reminiscent of arugula and watercress). The nasturtium leaves dwarf are therefore suitable as accompaniments for salads and meat dishes, while the flowers do not have to be baked and are a perfect decoration for cakes: they taste light and smell like honey. I fruits, on the other hand, are considered as an alternative to capers and the flavor is quite similar.