Nasturtium Host to the Cabbage White Buttterfly
Nasturtium, Wings of Change seed of the month May 2023.Â
Learn
Nasturtiums are unique plants that can serve multiple purposes in a garden. Nasturtium is believed to have originated in South America and was introduced to the United States in the 18th century. They were brought to America by Spanish explorers who discovered them in Peru. They are now a popular garden plant due to their colorful flowers, ease of care, and drought tolerance. 

Nasturtium leaves, flowers, and seeds are all edible and are known for their peppery flavor. They can be used in salads or as a garnish. The entire plant is edible: leaves, flowers, and seeds. It is high in Vitamin C, Manganese, and Iron which helps boost your immune system and keep your skin healthy. It has been traditionally used to support overall health since the 1800s.
Grow
Nasturtium can be grown in multiple USDA hardiness zones. They are known to thrive in zones 2-11. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some partial shade. Nasturtiums are generally divided into two categories: the climbing varieties and the dwarf or bush varieties. The nasturtium bush variety can grow up to 1′ by 2′ and the climbing varieties can reach up to 10′. They are generally considered to be drought-tolerant plants. They can withstand periods of dry soil, but it’s still important to provide them with regular watering to ensure healthy growth and flowering.
 It adds a moisture barrier, and the bugs like it better than cabbage!
Nasturtiums are from the Brassicaceae family and provide great cut flowers. It is an attractive, edible plant that tastes peppery or a little like mustard. It can be grown in the ground or in a pot. This plant is drought-tolerant and reseeds itself.Â
If planted in the ground, it is great near vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, pumpkins and kale. Nasturtium is a hearty plant that attracts pests like aphids, white fly and snails so that it takes the heat off all your lovely vegetables, since they prefer this plant a lot more. Also, when this plant mulches, it provides the things your vegetable bed needs like calcium, nitrogen, potassium and more. Would be excellent beneath soft fruit trees.
Planting Nasturtium will benefit your soil, inhibit weeds, and add beauty to the earth.Â
We have 3 kinds of Nasturtium for sale this month.Â
Alaska Multicolor Nasturtium with Marbled Leaves: This seed packet includes a multicolor mix with marbled leaves.
Scarlet Nasturtium has red blooms!
Multicolor Nasturtium Mix provides a range of blooms from ivory to tangerine and orange-red.
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Please allow 10-15 days for shipping.
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Change
Caterpillars can be a common pest in gardens. Especially gardens that include members of the brassica family, including cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Nasturtium acts as a decoy plant in a vegetable garden. The Cabbage White Butterfly, White Fly, Snails, Slugs, and other common garden pests prefer to use nasturtium as their host plant rather than your vegetable plants! They are known for their ability to add nutrients to the soil, especially nitrogen. This makes them a great companion plant for trees and vegetables that thrive in nitrogen-rich soil. Do you have a fruit tree that you can plant nasturtium under? It will help prevent weeds, add nutrients to the soil and encourage pollinators.
To plant nasturtiums:
New Area: Sow the seeds directly into the ground in a sunny to partial sun location. Plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep and 10-12 inches apart. Cover the seeded area with a 2-3″ layer of mulch. Water the soil every other day until you see the seeds sprout.
Established Area: Sow the seeds directly into the ground in a sunny to partial sun location. Plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep and 10-12 inches apart. Cover the seeds with 2-3″ layer of mulch. Allow it to follow the current watering cycle, it will adapt.
Hanging Baskets: Use potting soil. Sow three seeds directly into the soil with a moisture retainer in the soil like vermiculite, sphagnum (peat) moss, and/or coconut coir.
Nasturtiums do not require much maintenance. Enjoy the beautiful flowers and tasty leaves!
Wings of Change is proud to offer nasturtium seeds. Members get seeds free, learn more about becoming a member and help spread the word about the importance of butterflies.
