Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Tropaeolaceae
- Genus:
- Tropaeolum
- Species:
- Tropaeolum majus
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 1-2 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, sep, oct, nov
- Bloom Colors:
- orange, red, yellow
Native Range
United States: California, Guam, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Virginia
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), Sharp-angled Carpet (Euphyia unangulata), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Xanthorhoe iduata, Small White (Pieris rapae)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Confusing bumble bee (Bombus perplexus), Confusing bumble bee (Bombus perplexus), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola), Yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers fertile soils with good organic content