Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) are vibrant, versatile annual plants celebrated for their ease of growth and multiple uses in the garden and kitchen. They produce attractive, lily-pad-like foliage and colorful flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Both the leaves and the blossoms offer a distinctive peppery flavor, making them popular garnishes and additions to salads. Finding the right seeds is the first step toward cultivating this rewarding plant.
Primary Online Retailers and Specialty Seed Sources
The largest selection of nasturtium seeds is found through dedicated online seed retailers and mail-order companies. These major national seed catalogs often carry dozens of different cultivars, including rare colors and unique growth habits. Searching these sites allows gardeners to explore options beyond common mixes, such as varieties with variegated foliage or double petals.
Specialty seed banks are an excellent resource for sourcing heirloom or organic nasturtium seeds. Heirloom companies focus on preserving open-pollinated varieties, ensuring stable genetics for seed saving. These online vendors often provide detailed information about the specific culinary or ornamental qualities of each variety, such as ‘Empress of India’ or ‘Black Velvet’.
Large e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Etsy, also host numerous smaller, independent seed sellers. While convenient, buyers should scrutinize seller reviews and product descriptions to ensure seed quality and freshness.
Local and Physical Purchase Options
For gardeners seeking immediate planting or a hands-on shopping experience, brick-and-mortar stores provide a straightforward option. Local garden centers and independent nurseries usually stock nasturtium seeds during the spring planting season. The selection at these locations is reliable, focusing on the most popular and easiest-to-grow varieties.
Larger hardware and home improvement stores, such as national chains, also carry basic seed packets in their garden sections. These retail options offer convenience and accessibility but feature a more limited range, often sticking to standard dwarf or vining mixes. The trade-off with physical stores is the reduced selection of specialized or heirloom cultivars compared to online catalogs.
Community resources, such as farmer’s markets, local seed swaps, and botanical garden gift shops, can occasionally offer nasturtium seeds. These sources sometimes provide locally grown or regionally adapted seeds, which can perform better in specific microclimates.
Key Considerations When Selecting Nasturtium Seeds
The first decision when selecting seeds involves choosing the growth habit: vining or bush types. Vining nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) produce long, sprawling stems that can trail along the ground or climb structures. Bush or dwarf types (Tropaeolum minus) form compact, mounding plants, making them suitable for containers, window boxes, or small garden beds.
Gardeners should also consider the seed type: heirloom, hybrid, or organic. Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, meaning the resulting plants produce seeds true to the parent plant, allowing for seed saving. Hybrid seeds (F1) are created by crossing two distinct parent lines and offer specific traits, but saving their seeds is not recommended as the next generation will not breed true.
For culinary use, selecting organic or untreated seeds is a practical choice. Untreated seeds lack the chemical fungicides sometimes applied to protect seeds during storage and early germination. The quantity of seeds needed depends on the planting goal, with a small packet sufficient for a few containers, while large beds require significantly more seed.
The timing of purchase is relevant, as the best selection from major catalogs is often available in late winter and early spring. Nasturtium seeds store well in a cool, dark, and dry environment for several years, making pre-season purchasing a viable option. Soaking the seeds overnight before planting can help soften the tough outer shell and encourage quicker germination.