PlantFiles: Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus 'Alaska Mixed'

This is a plant that I would not do without in my garden. I plant it from seed every year, soaking the seeds the night before. I have found that if I plant it in really good, compost-rich soil, that it does not bloom much; but it really grows into a huge plant. If I plant it in our poor clay soil it blooms prolifically! And the foliage looks nice, too, in this soil - it just doesn't get so huge.

A favourite of mine, I love the large variegated leaves, and I agree, the variety I had seemed to be a "vining" type as well.
Propagation tip:
I have found the seeds sprout much better if soaked in warm water the night before you plant them.

Two years ago I tried to grow some and no luck. Someone recommended rubbing the seeds with coarse sandpaper and soaking them before planting so I did so last year and had a bumper crop of plants. The catch is that I have really poor, dry clay soil... and they loved it too much. The stated height on the package and everywhere says ~12". Mine were almost 24" tall! The ones in front of the bed flopped over onto the sidewalk but then the others just stood up leaning against them. My neighbors wanted to know what I fed them with and all I could say was "That's what I think right.... I didn't feed them at all." The leaves also made a happy home for the local aphid population, keeping the pests away from my more tender plants so I was pleased. And the aphids just washed off before I used the leaves for salads. I am now anxiously awaiting to see if the nasturtiums will return this spring and, if they do, if they will also be gigantic again. I'm afraid to plant anything else in that bed in the meantime since the nasturtiums last year smothered everything else in the bed (verbena, marigolds, and pansies- all dead).

For me, the third time is the charm...

The first year I tried growing these was a bust -- the location was too dry and too buggy. Little black flying creatures attacked it.

I tried them again last year. Again, planting from seed...the whole package of seed. Two plants made it. I let them go to seed on their own at the end of the season.

This year has been an absolute delight! They came up on their own and look pretty healthy. Several colors -- reds to oranges; green and green/white spottled leaves. They live beneath the canopy of the sunflowers and seem to enjoy the partial shade environment. (Zone 8a, Western Washington)

A favorite because of its variegated leaves and smaller growth habit.

Sowed these seeds in a small area of my English Garden five, yes, five years ago. They appear every year and the variety of colours amazes everyone. I weed them out of the spots they shouldn't be in but train them up trees, spikes etc you name it, they'll climb it. A riot of colour that disappears with the cold but reappears next summer. Perfect for every empty space but WILL be invasive.