How to Grow Nasturtium Moonlight

Nasturtium Moonlight

Tropaeolum majus 'Moonlight'

flower

Nasturtium Moonlight is a stunning cultivar featuring pale cream to soft yellow flowers with a luminous quality that stands out against vibrant green foliage. This bushy, compact annual produces both edible flowers and leaves, adding ornamental beauty and culinary interest to gardens. The plant blooms prolifically throughout the growing season and attracts pollinators while repelling pests.

Looking for a specific variety?

Moonlight Salmon Baby Red Gleam Double Gleam Peach Melba Empress of India

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 6+ hours of sunlight daily

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Water: Water moderately when soil surface dries; prefers slightly dry conditions. Overwatering promotes foliage at the expense of flowers. Drought-tolerant once established.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: 50-70 days to first flowers

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Planting depth: 0.75 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Sand for drainage Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives as an annual in zones 2-11; perennial in zones 10-11

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Cotyledons emerge within 7-10 days; round true leaves develop. Plants are tender and susceptible to cold.

Provide warmth (65-75°F), good light, and avoid overwatering. Harden off before transplanting outdoors after last frost.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Bushy foliage develops with round, peltate leaves. Plant builds sturdy structure before flowering begins.

Water sparingly; excessive moisture promotes leaf growth over flowers. Pinch growing tips if desired for fuller branching.

Flowering

8-12 weeks (from first bloom to frost)

Cream to pale yellow flowers with long spurs emerge from leaf axils. Blooms are cheerful and luminous, attracting bees and hoverflies.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Provide consistent, moderate watering. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Seed Development

3-4 weeks after flowering

Round seed pods (nasturtium seeds) develop where flowers were pollinated. Pods ripen and turn tan or brown.

If saving seeds, allow pods to fully mature on the plant. Harvest before they drop naturally. Can self-seed if allowed.

Decline

Until first frost

Plant growth slows in late summer/fall, particularly in hot climates. Frost kills the plant (hard freeze in tender zones).

Continue deadheading to extend bloom. May experience resurgence if temperatures cool in late season.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Radish Cabbage Cucumber Squash Corn Marigold Calendula Parsley Borage Dill

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (excessive pest attraction in very large plantings) Potato Tomato

Common Pests

Spray with water jet; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies with companion planting.
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Improve air circulation.
Install floating row covers. Remove caterpillars by hand. Companion plant repels some populations.
Spray with water; use neem oil. Increase humidity and avoid over-drying soil.
and
Hand-pick; use beer traps or copper barriers. Remove debris harboring pests.

Uses

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Edible Flowers and Peppery Greens

Culinary

Both flowers and leaves are edible with a distinctive peppery, slightly spicy flavor. Use fresh flowers as garnishes, in salads, or as a decorative element on plates, and tender leaves in salads for a peppery kick. [source]

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Homemade Capers

Culinary

Green seed pods can be harvested while young and pickled in vinegar to create a capers-like condiment for use in cooking and garnishing dishes. [source]

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Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Properties

Medicinal

Nasturtium contains glucosinolates and other compounds with traditional use for immune support and respiratory health. Leaves and flowers have been used in herbal remedies and teas. [source]

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Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Attraction

Wildlife

The pale flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects. Nasturtiums are often used as trap crops to attract aphids away from vegetables, protecting other garden plants. [source]

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Natural Pest Control Companion

Household

The peppery compounds and aphid-attracting properties make nasturtiums valuable as living pest management in vegetable gardens and ornamental beds. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick flowers just after they open for best flavor and appearance; they taste peppery and can be used fresh in salads, as garnishes, or in culinary presentations. Harvest young leaves throughout the season for a peppery salad green. Pick seed pods when green for pickling (often called 'capers'), or allow to mature for seed saving. Regular harvesting encourages more blooms.

Fun Facts

🌱 Nasturtium 'Moonlight' gets its name from the pale, luminous cream-colored flowers that seem to glow in low light, making it a magical addition to evening gardens.
🌱 The name 'Tropaeolum' comes from the Greek word 'tropaeum' meaning 'trophy' or 'conquest,' because the flowers were once used to decorate warriors' shields after battle.
🌱 Nasturtiums are native to South America and were brought to Europe by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, becoming beloved ornamental and edible plants worldwide.

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