Meet the neighbours · flower
Nasturtium
A beautiful, peppery, edible flower that doubles as a sacrificial companion for the vegetable garden.
Nasturtium is a double-duty plant: beautiful edible flowers and a genuine garden workhorse. Native to Central America (Mexico to Peru), it was brought to Europe in the 1500s.
How to grow it
- Slow to germinate — often 2+ weeks — so soak seeds up to 3 days before planting, or start indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost.
- Prefers poorer soil (more flowers, less foliage) and full sun to part shade.
- Acts as a sacrificial companion plant, drawing aphids, weevils, and beetles away from squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers planted nearby.
How to use & eat it
- Leaves and flowers are peppery and great in salads.
- Unripe green seeds can be pickled into "nasturtium capers" in a vinegar brine.
- Even the stems are edible.
Makes friends with
Companion planting is just good neighbouring — these do better beside Nasturtium.
TomatoSquashCucumber
Cook with it
- Nasturtium PestoCindy's own words: "Best pesto ever!" A creative way to use the peppery leaves of an often-overlooked garden flower.
Other neighbours
- TomatoThe loud, generous neighbour who shows up with more than you asked for.