Moonlight Nasturtium

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

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Moonlight Nasturtium spills over the garden with a cool, luminous presence—delicate blossoms in pale, creamy tones that feel like moonlight caught on the vine.

The tender leaves and succulent, peppery seed pods bring a crisp, juicy bite with a gentle heat, ideal for bright garnishes and quick pickling. Grow it for a long season of trailing color and a harvest that’s as lively in flavor as it is in form.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Moonlight Nasturtium

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Moonlight Nasturtium Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 8th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 31st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Moonlight nasturtium gives you that classic peppery nasturtium zing, but with a cooler, more floral lift from the pale blossoms. Use it late—blossoms and leaves lose their crispness fast under heat, while the seed pods pickle into tight, crunchy bursts.

Best Uses

scatter blossoms over salads and citrusy crudo for an instant pepper-spark
quick-pickle the immature seed pods for snappy “capers”
toss tender leaves into mixed greens right before serving (no long cooking)
use as a cool, edible garnish on sandwiches and omelets for fresh heat

Flavor Profile

citrus-bright peppery bite crisp, juicy snap gentle heat that blooms then fades succulent, lightly floral aroma

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil white vinegar radishes goat cheese grilled fish

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease pest issue for Tropaeolum majus (moonlight nasturtium), and how can I prevent it?

Nasturtiums are frequently affected by aphids and sometimes bacterial leaf spot under warm, humid conditions. Spray plants with a strong jet of water to knock off aphids, then use insecticidal soap if they persist, and remove badly spotted leaves to keep airflow high. Water at the soil line (not on foliage) to reduce disease spread, and avoid crowding so leaves dry quickly after rain or irrigation.

How often should I water Tropaeolum majus during the main growing phase?

During active flowering and growth (roughly weeks after seedlings establish), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. In hot weather, this may be about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil, while in cooler periods you’ll likely water less. Avoid frequent light watering; nasturtiums do best with deeper soakings followed by drying of the top layer.

How can I tell when moonlight nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest is typically ready around 50 days from sowing when plants have abundant open flowers and the foliage is lush and healthy. For flowers, pick blooms as soon as they open fully—regular harvesting encourages more flowering. If you’re harvesting seeds, wait until seed pods turn greenish-brown and rattle slightly when dry, then collect them before they fully scatter.