Nasturtium Microgreens
Nasturtium Microgreens is a microgreen in the Tropaeolaceae family. It grows best in full sun with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 9-11. Plants reach harvest about 8–16 days after planting and sit about 12 inches apart.
Varieties
5 from True Leaf Market · sorted by days to maturity▸Empress of India8–12 days
Heirloom
8-12 days. Empress is a fitting name for this microgreen. From its maroon-edged, blue-green leaves to its pink stems, it is a beauty. The flavor is a bit sweet, a bit salty and finishes with a sharp, spicy bite.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Alaska10–14 days
Heirloom
Alaska Mix Nasturtium is a marvelous microgreen. With its round wavy, lily pad like green foliage and a mix of green and pink stems it is beautiful and tasty too! A bit sweet with a peppery sharp bite and a succulent texture, it can't be beat. Makes a nice presentation with 2 to 3 leaves.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Empress of India (Organic)10–16 days
Heirloom; Organic; Non-GMO
20-30 Days to maturity. Tropaeolum majus 'Empress of India'. Premium Organic Empress of India Nasturtium Microgreen Seeds. Empress of India microgreens are different in color than other microgreen varieties. Empress of India Nasturtium microgreens has a delicious peppery and distinct flavor! They are perfect for fresh dishes to add texture and spice. These are easy-to-grow microgreens that offer a ton of flavor and nutrients in return for minimal effort! ~220 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Jewel Mix14–16 days
Heirloom
14-16 days. Nasturtium microgreen seeds pack a powerhouse of flavor when in the microgreen stage. They have beautiful variegated colors, especially in this Jewel Mix. Also known as nasturtium shoots, these greens are becoming a popular addition to sushi, since it has a similar spice to wasabi.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Jewel Mix (Organic)14–16 days
Organic; Non-GMO
14-16 Days to Harvest. Tropaeolum majus. Organic Jewel Mix Nasturtium Microgreen Seeds. Non-GMO, organic microgreen seeds. Jewel Mix Nasturtium produces a beautiful large-leaf microgreen with a peppery flavor. Mix these greens into your favorite salads, sushi rolls, and more for a delightful kick of spice. ~198 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗
Plant spacing
In a square-foot bed, space nasturtium microgreens about 12 in apart — that fits 1 plant in each 1-foot square (1×1). Wider rows or containers space the same.
Plan your nasturtium microgreens planting
Add nasturtium microgreens to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.
Start your free plan →At a glance
Storing & preserving
Use fresh — refrigerate briefly; not suited to preserving.
General home-preservation guidance — for tested processing times and safety, follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Growing timeline
Companion planting — with cited sources
From US/Canada cooperative-extension publications and peer-reviewed studies. Evidence-tier dots show how strongly each recommendation is backed: ●●● peer-reviewed mechanism · ●● extension consensus · ● traditional knowledge with a plausible mechanism.
Pairs well with (3)
- Common CucumberEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter, trap-crop
Nasturtium is reported in Agriculture Canada and university trials to alter cucumber beetle and squash bug egg-laying behavior, acting as a partial repellent. Effects are documented but modest; nasturtium is best used in combination with trap cropping rather than as a stand-alone control.
Source: SARE, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Common TomatoEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationtrap-crop, pollinator-attract
Nasturtium near tomato is traditionally recommended for aphid trapping and pollinator support; pollinator benefit is well-supported, aphid trap-cropping in tomato is less studied than in cucurbits/beans.
Source: University of Maryland Extension
- Summer SquashEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter
Nasturtium intercropped with summer squash is reported by Agriculture Canada and several universities to alter squash bug oviposition site preference, reducing egg masses on squash leaves. The effect is partial; nasturtium does not eliminate squash bug pressure but can reduce damage when combined with other measures.
Source: SARE, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Trap crops for this plant (3)
- Common BeanEvidence tier B: Extension consensus across multiple US/Canada land-grant institutionstrap-crop
Nasturtium acts as a strong aphid (especially black bean aphid, Aphis fabae) trap. Documented in multiple Northeast extension publications. Same aphid trap-crop role as T. majus.
- Common CabbageEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationtrap-crop, pest-deter
Nasturtium's glucosinolate-like mustard oils attract cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae); used as a brassica trap crop with mixed effectiveness. Some Ontario and Massachusetts trials show modest reductions in caterpillar pressure on the cash crop.
Source: UMass Center for Agriculture, University of Guelph / OMAFRA
- Squash (Cucurbita spp., generic)Evidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationtrap-crop, pollinator-attract
Nasturtium attracts squash bug (Anasa tristis) and aphids preferentially, drawing them off the cash cucurbit. Squash bug trap-crop evidence is mixed across trials — strongest in studies with intentional placement and regular trap-plant destruction; aphid trap-cropping is more consistently supported. Same aphid and squash bug trap-cropping rationale as T. majus; compact habit fits row-middle plantings under squash.
Timing: Sow at same time as squash; pull and destroy heavily infested trap plants weekly.
Sources cited
- S15
- UMass Center for Agriculture (UMass Extension)
- S18
- SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education)
- S23
- University of Guelph / OMAFRA (Ontario)
- S25
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- S6
- Penn State Extension
- S9
- University of Maryland Extension — Home & Garden Info Center
Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations
When to feed, prune & water
Attract beneficial insects and protect pollinators
Protection- Routine carePlant insectary flowers and tolerate light pestsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Grow a diversity of flowering plants (including small-flowered umbels and asters) to feed predators and parasitoids, and tolerate low pest numbers so natural enemies have prey to stick around.
- Routine careNever spray open bloomsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Avoid insecticides on flowering plants and apply any needed sprays in the evening when pollinators aren't active, and favor selective products over broad-spectrum ones to spare bees and beneficials.
Something looks wrong?
Describe what you see on your nasturtium microgreensand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.
Cabbage white & looper caterpillars
Pestmoderate- CulturalHand-pick + insect netting· every 3 days · ~3 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Pick caterpillars by hand and cover plants with insect netting to block egg-laying butterflies.
- OrganicBt (Bacillus thuringiensis) - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Spray Bt var. kurstaki on leaf undersides per label; reapply after rain. Spares pollinators.
Powdery mildew
Diseasemoderate- CulturalImprove airflow + remove worst leavesstrong evidence — extension confidence
Cut out the most heavily coated leaves and thin for airflow; avoid wetting foliage late in the day.
- OrganicPotassium-bicarbonate or sulfur - label use only· every 1 wk · ~4 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Apply a labeled potassium-bicarbonate or sulfur fungicide weekly per the label. No sulfur within 2 weeks of oil or in high heat.
Flea beetles
PestmoderateUnusual this time of year.
- CulturalRow cover seedlingsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Float insect netting over seedlings until they're large enough to outgrow damage; remove for flowering crops needing pollination.
- OrganicSpinosad or kaolin clay - label use only· every 1 wk · ~2 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For heavy pressure on seedlings, a labeled spinosad or kaolin-clay product helps. Follow the label.
Aphids
Pestlow- CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.
- OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.