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Ornamental and edible annual
Tropaeolaceae
Organic edible flower seeds
Organic 'Kaleidoscope' nasturtium mix
Tropaeolum majus
Product code : BIOVO-0014
Organic 'Kaleidoscope' nasturtium mix, Tropaeolum majus, produces edible cream, yellow, orange, rose, red, and sometimes bicoloured flowers above decorative rounded foliage. This product contains approximately 25 organic seeds. Direct-sow after the last frost at a depth of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, using three seeds per planting hole and allowing approximately 91 cm between holes. Germination generally takes 7 to 14 days at 16 to 18°C. This vigorous annual prefers full sun or bright partial shade and light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Flowering usually begins within 55 to 65 days and continues until the first frost. For best results, grow Organic 'Kaleidoscope' nasturtium mix with the recommended light, moisture, and spacing, then observe development regularly. Harvesting at the appropriate stage preserves the desired texture, colour, and eating quality while helping the remaining crop continue growing evenly.
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Life cycle
- Annual
Discover the plant
Common name'Kaleidoscope' nasturtium mix, garden nasturtium
FamilyTropaeolaceae
GenusTropaeolum
Speciesmajus
TypeOrnamental and edible annual
Botanical nameTropaeolum majus
Heirloom varietyYes
Organic 'Kaleidoscope' nasturtium mix (Tropaeolum majus) is an ornamental and edible annual valued for rounded leaves and warm-coloured flowers. The mixture may include cream, yellow, gold, orange, coral, rose, and red tones, along with several swirled bicolours. Because it is a seed mixture, the presence and proportion of each shade naturally vary. This product contains approximately 25 organic seeds. Flowers and young leaves have a peppery flavour suited to salads and garnishes, while buds and immature seed pods may be pickled. Plants reach approximately 40 cm in height and develop a vigorous trailing or climbing habit that works in beds, borders, containers, and edible gardens.
Direct-sow after the last frost once soil has warmed, or start seed in biodegradable pots three to four weeks earlier to limit root disturbance. Sow approximately 1.5 to 2.5 cm deep and maintain 16 to 18°C during germination, which generally takes 7 to 14 days. Place three seeds in each planting hole and allow approximately 91 cm between holes and rows. This nasturtium prefers full sun or bright partial shade and light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Excess nitrogen produces abundant leaves and fewer flowers. Water regularly during establishment, then allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings. Provide a support when you want the vigorous stems to climb rather than trail.
Harvest freshly opened flowers and young leaves in the morning after dew has dried. Use only healthy plant parts known to be nasturtium grown without treatments incompatible with edible use, then wash them gently. Flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects. Remove faded blooms to keep plants tidy and support regular flowering, or allow several pods to mature when collecting seed. Watch for aphids, slugs, and caterpillars; a water spray or hand removal is often sufficient. In containers, choose a well-drained pot at least 20 to 30 cm wide and install support when stems climb. Flowering generally begins within 55 to 65 days and continues until the first frost when moisture and summer temperatures remain favourable.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 cm (1/2 to 1 in)
Spacing / density
Three seeds per planting hole; approximately 91 cm (36 in) between holes and rows
Germination temperature
16 to 18 °C (60 to 65 °F)
Germination time
Approximately 7 to 14 days in moderately warm, evenly moist soil.
Sowing period
Direct-sow after last frost; indoor sowing possible 2 to 3 weeks earlier
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Growing nasturtium from seed. Direct-sow after the last frost in warmed soil, the recommended method for limiting root disturbance. You may also start seed in biodegradable pots three to four weeks before planting. Sow 1.5 to 2.5 cm deep because darkness supports germination, then maintain 16 to 18°C and light moisture until emergence, generally within 7 to 14 days. Grow in full sun or bright partial shade and light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment without saturating the ground. Avoid excess nitrogen. Let stems trail over the ground or guide them onto a strong support. Harvest fully opened flowers and clean young leaves throughout the flowering season. After emergence, thin without disturbing retained plants and keep the surface lightly moist. Mulch only after plants establish, leaving the crown uncovered. Inspect leaf undersides regularly, remove severely damaged tissue, and harvest at the recommended stage. Record the sowing date for Organic 'Kaleidoscope' nasturtium mix to plan later batches more accurately and rotate the next crop with an unrelated plant family. During sowing and cultivation, check moisture and leaf condition regularly, then adjust watering and protection as plants develop. During sowing and cultivation, keep soil moist and well drained without allowing water to remain around roots.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Care level
Easy
Watering
Water regularly during germination and establishment to keep soil lightly moist, never waterlogged. Once plants root, allow the surface to dry slightly between irrigations. Water deeply at soil level in the morning and adjust frequency to heat, rainfall, and drainage. Containers dry faster and require frequent checks. Avoid prolonged wilting and constant moisture on foliage. Mulch lightly only after soil has warmed and seedlings are established.
Soil type
Choose light, loose, very well-drained soil with low to moderate fertility. Ground rich in nitrogen favours foliage over flowers. Incorporate only a small amount of mature compost when soil is poor. Avoid fresh manure and standing water. A raised bed or drained container suits heavy ground. Slightly acidic to neutral soil is generally appropriate. Good drainage remains more important than rich soil for reliable flowering.
Fertilization
Nasturtium flowers best in low to moderately fertile soil. Add a small amount of mature compost before sowing only when ground is poor. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer that produces abundant leaves and few flowers. When a soil test shows deficiency, use balanced fertilizer at a low labelled rate. Water after application and observe growth before feeding again. Excess feeding should be corrected by stopping fertilizer, not adding more.
Moisture
Consistent soil moisture without saturation; good air circulation around the foliage.
Seasonal care
Seasonal care for nasturtium. In spring, sow after the last frost once soil warms and keep the bed lightly moist until emergence. Thin early to limit competition without choosing plants solely by stem colour. In summer, water deeply during dry periods, remove faded blooms, and harvest flowers and young leaves in the morning. Monitor aphids, slugs, and caterpillars beneath foliage. During heat waves, light afternoon shade may reduce stress. Guide stems away from paths and remove only genuinely damaged leaves. In late summer, allow a few pods to mature only when you want to collect seed. Gather them before they drop and finish drying them in a ventilated place away from moisture. Plants grown from saved seed may not reproduce the same colour proportions. After the first frost, remove plants, discard diseased tissue, clean containers, and note the colours observed when planning another planting. Store unused or harvested seed in a cool, dry place inside a clearly identified container. Adjust irrigation to actual rainfall throughout the season, and keep food-bound flowers separate from plants exposed to products not labelled for edible crops. To extend flowering, harvest regularly without removing too much foliage and maintain consistent watering during hot periods. In containers, verify drainage after every heavy rain, empty the saucer, and rotate the pot when sunlight arrives mainly from one direction. Leave enough healthy foliage after culinary harvests to support continued bloom.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
Well-drained pot at least 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) wide for one plant
Growing nasturtium in containers. Choose a container at least 20 to 30 cm wide for one plant and wider for several, with many drainage holes. Fill it with light moderately fertile mix; overly rich media favours leaves. Direct-sow in the pot or transplant a very young intact root ball. Place the container in sun or bright partial shade. Water when the surface dries, then let excess drain. Compact stems may trail lightly over the rim. Rotate the pot weekly for balanced light and remove faded blooms. During heat waves, protect the container from scorching late-afternoon sun and check water daily. Use for cooking only flowers grown in a clean pot with products authorized for edible crops. A dark container in full sun can overheat, so monitor the growing mix and move the pot temporarily during extreme heat when necessary. Space multiple plants so foliage dries promptly after rain. Do not fertilize automatically; first observe leaf colour, flowering, and vigour. Tie longer stems loosely to a small support or let them trail according to the intended display. Empty saucers after watering and inspect leaf undersides regularly for aphids, caterpillars, or slug damage. At season's end, remove frost-killed growth and wash the container before reuse.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
Approximately 40 cm (16 in)
Width / spread
Variable; allow at least 91 cm (35.8 in) of space for trailing or climbing stems
Flower color
Variable mix of cream, yellow, gold, orange, coral, cherry rose, and red
Foliage color
Medium green to blue-green
Foliage type
Annual deciduous foliage
Growth rate
Fast
Growth habit
Vigorous, trailing or climbing
Fragrance
Peppery green flavour; light floral scent
Bloom period
Spurred single flowers rise above the foliage in a variable mixture of cream, yellow, gold, orange, coral, cherry rose, and red, sometimes bicoloured. Flowering begins approximately 55 to 65 days after sowing and continues through warm weather when light, water, and faded-flower removal are adequate. No exact colour proportion is guaranteed in this mix. Bloom ends when frost kills this annual, so no hardiness-zone rating applies.
Fruiting
After flowering, nasturtium forms young green seed pods made of several segments; they enlarge and become paler as they mature. To collect seed, leave several pods on a healthy plant, gather them before they drop, and finish drying them in a ventilated place. Label the harvest and store it cool and dry. Saved seed does not guarantee the same colour proportions as the original mixture.
Days to maturity
Approximately 55 to 65 days to flowering
Harvest
Freshly opened flowers and young leaves during bloom
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
No specific companion plant is confirmed for this product. 'Kaleidoscope' can nevertheless be included in an edible border or near vegetables that prefer light, well-drained soil when enough room remains for its stems. Low crops harvested quickly may share the bed without being covered by nasturtium foliage. Preserve good airflow, keep the crown open, and water every crop according to its needs. Flowers may receive various visiting insects, but companion planting does not replace monitoring for aphids, slugs, and caterpillars or routine weeding. Results vary with soil, weather, and garden layout. Guide or trim neighbouring growth when it begins to restrict light, airflow, or harvest access.
Plants to avoid
Avoid waterlogged soil, nitrogen-rich feeding, and overly shaded sites, which favour foliage over flowers or weaken plants. Watch for aphids, slugs, and caterpillars, especially on young growth. Remove badly damaged tissue and first use a water spray, hand removal, or a barrier suitable for edible crops.
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
Flowers, young leaves, buds, and properly prepared young seed pods
Nasturtium in the kitchen. Prepare cucumber and nasturtium salad with healthy flowers and leaves known to be nasturtium. For four servings, use one cucumber, four to six fresh flowers, four small leaves, two tablespoons oil, one tablespoon mild vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Harvest in the morning from plants grown without products incompatible with food use. Inspect every piece, remove insects, rinse gently, and dry. Slice cucumber, chop leaves finely, then combine with oil, vinegar, and salt. Add whole or separated petals immediately before serving to preserve texture and colour. Taste a small amount first because the peppery flavour may be pronounced. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and discard every wilted, spotted, mouldy, or uncertainly identified tissue. This recipe makes no medical claim and should be adapted for allergies or dietary restrictions. Serve immediately as a fresh side dish and do not cook the flowers. Nasturtium's edible parts have a peppery flavour, so adjust the amount only after tasting a small portion. This recipe is not medical advice and must be adapted for allergies, dietary restrictions, and individual tolerance. Never use a flower when its identity, health, or treatment history is uncertain.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
Are all colours in the 'Kaleidoscope' mixture guaranteed?
No. A seed mixture contains several possible colours, but distribution varies from one sowing to another and every plant does not carry every shade. The palette may include cream, yellow, gold, orange, coral, cherry rose, and red. A small sowing may display only part of that palette. Grow several plants, label them, and photograph first flowers and midseason bloom. Do not discard a plant before opening solely from stalk or leaf colour. Observed results describe the plants grown without guaranteeing the same proportions next year. When one precise colour is essential to a design, use a separately named variety with a defined shade instead of a mixture. Keep the plant label until flowering ends so the mixture remains easy to distinguish.
Which parts of nasturtium may be eaten?
Freshly opened flowers, young leaves, buds, and young seed pods are commonly used in cooking. Their peppery flavour may be intense. Use only nasturtium whose identity is certain grown without pesticides or products unauthorized for edible plants. Harvest healthy tissue, remove insects, rinse gently, and eat a small amount the first time. Pods intended as caper substitutes should follow a reliable pickling recipe and remain refrigerated according to the chosen method. Never eat a plant merely because it resembles nasturtium. People with allergies, pregnancy, medication, or medical dietary restrictions should seek qualified guidance before a new concentrated food use. Discard every mouldy, contaminated, or uncertainly identified portion. Note sowing, weather, bloom, and harvest observations if you want to compare future plantings.
Why does nasturtium produce many leaves but few flowers?
The most common cause is soil overly rich in nitrogen, sometimes combined with insufficient light. The plant then invests in large leaves instead of buds. Provide more sun where possible, stop nitrogen-rich fertilizer, and let the soil surface dry slightly between irrigations without severe wilting. Also verify that plants are not overcrowded. Extreme heat may interrupt flowering temporarily; provide light late-day shade and maintain steady moisture. Do not auttically add a “bloom” fertilizer before examining soil, light, temperature, and plant age. Remove faded flowers, but retain enough healthy foliage to power continued growth. Compare container and in-ground plants before changing every planting at once.
Should nasturtium seed be soaked or scarified?
Soaking is not required, but it may speed water uptake by the large seed. Place seed in room-temperature water for four to eight hours and never longer than one night, then sow immediately. Light abrasion with sandpaper may also be used, but it must remain superficial so the embryo is not injured. Afterwards, keep soil evenly moist, not waterlogged. When seed is fresh and soil sufficiently warm, it can emerge without treatment. Record date, number sown, and actual emergence to compare methods. Discard soft, mouldy, or damaged seed instead of extending soaking. Do not combine aggressive scarification with prolonged soaking because damaged seed rots easily.
How can 'Kaleidoscope' flowering be extended?
Sow after last frost in a bright site, avoid excess nitrogen, and maintain steady moisture without saturating soil. Remove faded flowers two or three times each week before they all form seed, while retaining enough foliage to feed the plant. Harvesting several edible flowers has a similar effect when cuts are clean and stems are not torn. During heat waves, light afternoon shade and thin mulch reduce stress. Monitor aphids and slugs, then intervene early with physical methods. A new series sown in early summer may take over when enough season remains for bloom before frost. No maintenance can extend this annual beyond hard freezing. Keep dated notes to identify the best sowing window in the local microclimate.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Supporting wildlife
Open flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects with nectar and pollen. Avoid treatments while flowers are open and keep access to plants unobstructed. The varied colours also make the planting highly visible in borders and edible gardens. Organic 'Kaleidoscope' nasturtium mix is grown primarily for harvest. When several plants reach bloom, their flowers may receive small bees, hoverflies, and other insects. This contribution remains secondary and varies with flowering duration, weather, and neighbouring crops.
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