Alaska Nasturtium

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Vivid, cool-weather blooms and peppery, bright flavor make Alaska Nasturtium a standout for gardeners who want instant sensory payoff.

The tender leaves and crisp, juicy seed pods deliver a clean bite—pungent yet fresh—ideal for roasting, quick pickling, and adding lively character to salads and garnishes. Expect a vigorous, compact habit with fast results in about 50 days, so you can enjoy harvests early and often.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Spreading

Botanical illustration of Alaska Nasturtium

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Alaska Nasturtium leans hard into that peppery, zingy, almost-citrus snap—so use it last, like fresh herbs, and don’t cook it down too far. The pods stay crisp and juicy rather than collapsing, making them ideal for quick pickles and high-impact garnishes.

Best Uses

scatter blooms and chopped leaves over salads for a fresh pepper sting
quick-pickle seed pods in vinegar-salt for crunchy cocktail garnish
roast lightly until the pods caramelize at the edges, then finish with flaky salt
use as a spicy-green finishing herb for grilled fish or eggs

Flavor Profile

peppery, watercress-like bite bright, citrusy aromatic snap crisp, juicy pods and tender leaves

Kitchen Pairings

lemon balsamic vinegar goat cheese prosciutto white fish butter

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage powdery mildew on Alaska nasturtiums?

Powdery mildew shows up as a white, flour-like coating on nasturtium leaves, usually starting on older foliage. Remove and discard the worst leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants (and thinning seedlings if they’re crowded), and water at the soil line so foliage stays dry. If it keeps spreading, spray with an organic sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product labeled for powdery mildew on edible flowers.

How often should I water Alaska nasturtium during the main growing phase?

During active leaf and flower growth, keep the soil consistently lightly moist—about 1 inch deep—without waterlogging. In full sun, water about 2–3 times per week depending on heat and wind, then slow down once plants are established and only water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Avoid frequent shallow watering that leaves nasturtiums stressed and more prone to mildew.

When are Alaska nasturtiums ready to harvest?

Alaska nasturtiums are typically ready to harvest in about 50 days from sowing, with the best harvest starting when flowers first open. Pick leaves and flower buds regularly for continuous production; young leaves are most tender before they get thick or dark. For seed harvest, wait until pods turn brown and rattle lightly on the plant, then collect and dry the pods a few days.