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Tropaeolum majus
Also called Garden Nasturtium, Indian Cress, Monks Cress, Lark's Heel, Monk Cress, Nasties, Tall Nasturtium
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a fast-growing annual, or short-lived perennial, with round leaves and bright yellow, orange or red flowers. It grows best in full sun in poor, not too rich soil, which encourages more flowers.
Tropaeolum majus, the garden nasturtium, nasturtium, Indian cress or monk's cress, is a species of flowering plant in the family Tropaeolaceae. An annual or a short-lived perennial with disc-shaped leaves and brilliant yellow, orange or red flowers, it is of cultivated, probably hybrid origin. It is not closely related to the genus Nasturtium (which includes watercress).
Tropaeolum majus cultivars are widely grown as easy annual plants, and will grow in poor, damp soil in full sun. The large seeds are easy to handle individually.
As they do not tolerate heavy frost, in cooler climates they are best sown under glass in heat, and planted out after all danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, as they are fast-growing, they may be sown in situ after that time.
The species is of cultivated, probably hybrid origin. It originated in the Andes from Bolivia north to Colombia.
All of the above-ground parts of the plants are edible. The flower has most often been consumed, making for an especially ornamental salad ingredient; it has a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of watercress, and is also used in stir fry. The flowers contain about 130 milligrams (0.0046 oz) vitamin C per 100 g (3+1⁄2 oz), about the same amount as is contained in parsley. Moreover, they contain up to 45 milligrams (0.0016 oz) of lutein per 100 grams (3.5 oz). The unripe seed pods can be harvested and dropped into spiced vinegar to become a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of capers.
Tropaeolum beuthii · Tropaeolum incisum · Canary Creeper · Flame Nasturtium · Tropaeolum tricolor · Anu · Nasturtium
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Tropaeolum majus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.
