Overview
Tropaeolum is a climbing annual biennial in the genus Tropaeolum, part of the Tropaeolaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Tropaeolum grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include wall side borders, city and courtyard gardens, coastal, patio and container plants, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds and garden edging.
About
Tropaeolum, commonly known as nasturtium, is a climbing plant from the Tropaeolaceae family. This cultivar features deciduous foliage and thrives in full sun or partial shade, preferring moist but well-drained soil types such as loam, sand, or chalk with a range of pH levels. It is hardy to UK zone H5 and is well suited to sheltered positions with various garden aspects. Ideal for use in wall side borders, city gardens, patios, and wildlife-friendly spaces, it flowers in spring and summer and can be propagated by seed, division, or stem tip cuttings.
About the genus
Tropaeolum, commonly known as nasturtium, is a genus of roughly 80 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants. It was named by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum and is the only genus in the family Tropaeolaceae. The nasturtiums received their common name because they produce an oil similar to that of watercress.
Wikipedia contributors, "Tropaeolum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Tropaeolum
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Tropaeolum
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Tropaeolum size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Wall side borders, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Tropaeolum
- Propagation
- Seed, Division, Stem tip cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Glasshouse whitefly, Glasshouse red spider mite, Whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Virus diseases
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Tropaeolum?
Tropaeolum prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Tropaeolum need?
Tropaeolum is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, sand and chalk. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Tropaeolum hardy in the UK?
Tropaeolum has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Tropaeolum?
Seed, Division, Stem tip cuttings.