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How to Grow Nasturtium Sunburst Series Sunburst Apricot

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Nasturtium Sunburst Series Sunburst Apricot

Tropaeolum majus 'Sunburst Apricot'

flower

Nasturtium Sunburst Apricot is a vibrant ornamental flower variety featuring semi-double apricot-orange blooms with striking darker veining and mottled patterns. Part of the Sunburst Series, it produces abundant ruffled flowers on compact, bushy plants with attractive circular foliage. Both flowers and leaves are edible with a peppery flavor, making this variety both beautiful and functional in the garden.

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Example Nasturtium Sunburst Series Sunburst Apricot timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Nasturtium Sunburst Series Sunburst Apricot

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Nasturtium Sunburst Series Sunburst Apricot blooms

    Around May 22

    ≈ 35 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Nasturtium Sunburst Series Sunburst Apricot dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 6+ hours of sunlight daily; more blooms in full sun
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Water: Moderate watering; water when top inch of soil is dry. Drought tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering as it promotes foliage over flowers.
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Spacing: 12 inches
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Days to maturity: 35-50 days to first bloom
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Planting depth: 0.5-1 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining, sandy to loamy soil; tolerates poor soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost for poor soils Perlite for drainage Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-11; treated as annual in cooler zones, perennial in warm climates

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

7-10 days

Young plants emerge with rounded cotyledons; first true leaves appear rounded and slightly waxy

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings if crowded. These seeds are large and easy to handle.

2

Vegetative

2-3 weeks

Plant develops bushy growth with multiple stems and characteristic circular, shield-shaped leaves with prominent veining

Pinch growing tips at 4-6 inches tall to encourage bushier branching and more flowers. Reduce watering slightly. Avoid over-fertilizing.

3

Budding

1-2 weeks

Flower buds form at leaf axils; distinctive knobby, elongated buds appear before opening

Continue moderate watering. Maintain consistent light conditions. Support stems if plants become leggy. Dead-head spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

4

Flowering

8-12 weeks (continuous in season)

Semi-double apricot-orange flowers with ruffled petals and darker veining bloom prolifically; flowers measure 1.5-2 inches across

Deadhead regularly to extend blooming season. Water at soil level to keep flowers dry. Reduce nitrogen to maintain flower production over foliage.

5

Seed Development & Maturity

3-4 weeks to seed maturity

After pollination, distinctive round seed pods develop; seeds mature and harden within grape-like seed vessels

Allow select flowers to go unpollinated if saving seeds. Leave mature pods on plant until dry. Harvest when pods turn brown and papery.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Calendula Marigold Zinnias Basil Cabbage Kale Tomatoes Cucumber Radish Alyssum

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (excessive) Plants requiring very rich soil

Common Pests

  • Spray with water stream; use insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs

  • Use sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; provide good air circulation

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil for heavy infestations

  • and

    Hand-pick; remove debris; use copper tape barriers; apply diatomaceous earth

  • Hand-pick; use row covers on nearby plants; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers & Peppery Greens

Culinary

Both the apricot flowers and circular leaves are edible with a peppery, cress-like flavor that adds visual appeal and spicy notes to salads, garnishes, and cold dishes. The flowers work beautifully as plate garnish for gourmet cuisine. [source]

🍳

Seed Pods as Pickled Capers Substitute

Culinary

The immature seed pods can be pickled in vinegar and salt as a homemade substitute for capers, providing a tangy, peppery condiment for various dishes. Harvest pods when they're still green and tender. [source]

🌿

Garden Decoration & Cut Flowers

Ornamental

The vibrant apricot-orange semi-double flowers with intricate veining make excellent cut flowers for floral arrangements and add bold color to garden borders, containers, and mixed plantings. The ruffled petals and long stems make them ideal for bouquets. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Nasturtium flowers and leaves have been used in traditional herbal medicine as a natural source of vitamin C and for potential antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties. Both parts were historically consumed to boost vitality. [source]

🦋

Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Magnet

Wildlife

The bright apricot flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies to the garden, supporting pollinator populations and natural pest control. Nasturtiums also attract aphids away from vegetable crops, functioning as a trap crop. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Flowers are best harvested in early morning when fully open for maximum flavor and vitality. Pick flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. For edible use, harvest both flowers and young leaves; flowers have a peppery, slightly sweet flavor with hints of spice. For seed collection, allow select flowers to mature; harvest pods when they turn tan/brown and dry—they're ready when seeds rattle inside. Store dried seeds in cool, dry conditions for next season's planting.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The name 'Tropaeolum' comes from the Greek word 'tropaeum,' meaning trophy or monument, because early botanists thought the leaves resembled ancient warrior shields and the flowers resembled helmets or crowns adorning those shields.
  • 🌱 Nasturtium seeds can be pickled as a zero-waste way to use the entire plant—the immature green pods became so popular as capers that they earned the nickname 'poor man's capers' in 18th-century Europe.
  • 🌱 The peppery flavor of nasturtiums comes from glucosinolates, the same compounds found in radishes and horseradish, and the plant actually repels some garden pests while attracting beneficial pollinators, making it a brilliant companion planting choice.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Partial Shade Pollination True Leaves
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