Nasturtium, often called Mexican Cress: How to grow this plant

Mexican Cress is a climbing annual plant with large and vibrant flowers. It grows soon after sowing, it is undemanding and also medicinal and edible. It may be planted in boxes, decorative containers, flowerbeds, decorative screens and pergolas. You can choose from a number of varieties and from of all possible colours.

Attractive varieties

Alaska Mix is the latest blend of the nasturtium family. It reaches height of 20 cm has dark green leaves and blooms with simple and tender pink to salmon flowers. Full-flowered Glorius Gleam Mix or Tip Top will look great in boxes or in hanging decorative containers, because they bloom in large flowers and in many vibrant colours. A mix called Out of Africa is an ideal blend for balconies, walls and slopes because it creates nice arrangements of dark green and white leaves with brightly coloured flowers resembling a rich carpet of flowers.

Nasturtium – how to grow this plant?

If you wish to grow Mexican Cress, you shall sow in a pattern, approximately 40 x 15 cm, by the end of July. You may do so in flowerbeds, boxes or larger bowls. The seeds will usually germinate within three weeks in a moist soil, but the temperature must remain above 18 °C. The seeds are large and a lot of moisture is necessary. Make sure they will not dry out later. Place the seeds in a hole about 2 cm deep. Put only 2 to 4 seeds in the hole to make sure that the plants are thick and rich. Mexican cress grows and blooms best in regular, moist soil and in a sunny location. There is an interesting saying about this plant, which says that the poorer the soil, the brighter and the richer the flowers are. So you don’t need to fertilize. It will grow abundantly on the fertilized land, but it will not bloom much.

Mexican Cress as a medicine

Mexican Cress is not only a beautiful decorative flower but it also has healing properties. Thanks to its antibiotic properties, it is used to cure diseases related to upper respiratory tract and bladder. All parts of the plant are edible and the taste resemble radish. By eating fresh leaves during summer you will boost your immunity and benefit in the winter.

Nasturtium: Photo Pixabay