Practical
Plants

Tropaeolum minus

Dwarf Nasturtium

a perennial member of the Tropaeolum genus in the family Tropaeolaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw[3][12][13]. A hot watercress flavour[2]. The leaves are very nice in small quantities on their own or as a flavouring in mixed salads, they are available from early summer until the first frosts of the autumn[K]. Flowers - raw[3][12][13][2]. A very ornamental and tasty addition to the salad bowl, the flowers have a hot watercress flavour[15]. The flowers contain about 130mg vitamin C per 100g[9]. Young seed pods - raw[3][12][13]. These are even hotter than the flowers or leaves[K]. The seed pods can also be harvested whilst immature and pickled for use as a caper substitute[2]. Seed - raw or cooked. Very hot[K]. The mature seed can be ground into a powder and used as a pepper substitute[2].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Seedpod

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is antibiotic, antiseptic, aperient, diuretic and expectorant[15][8]. It is useful in breaking up congestion in the respiratory passages and chest during colds[8]. The juice or tea can be used as an external or internal antiseptic[8]. The plant has antibiotic properties towards aerobic spore forming bacteria[14], it is also said to have a beneficial effect on the blood by promoting the formation of blood cells[8].

Product or use
Antibiotic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The growing plant attracts aphids away from other plants. Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above the flowers[6]. An insecticide can be made from an infusion of leaves and soap flakes[6].

Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
S. America - Peru, Ecuador.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow April in situ. The seed usually germinates within 2 weeks. Seed can also be sown in March in pots in a greenhouse and planted out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich light well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade[13]. More and lusher leaves are produced when the plant is growing in a rich soil, though less flowers are produced[11]. When grown in a soil of low fertility the leaves are smaller and less lush, though more flowers are produced[200, K] The plant will also succeed in very poor soils[7]. Dislikes drought[13]. This species is not frost hardy in Britain but it is often grown in the flower garden as an annual when it will frequently self-sow[13]. In cold springs, however, the seed will often not germinate until mid or even late summer, which is too late to produce a reasonable crop[K]. There are some named varieties[2]. Grows well with radishes, cabbages and fruit trees, improving their growth and flavour[1][4]. A good companion for many plants, keeping many harmful insects at bay and also improving the growth and flavour of neighbouring crops[6]. Aphids on nasturtiums indicate a lime deficiency in the soil[4]. Slugs and snails love eating this plant, so it can be grown to attract them away from other plants[6]. The caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly can be a nuisance and often cause considerable damage to the leaves[10].

References

  1. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

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  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  6. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

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  8. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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  10. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

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  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

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  12. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  15. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

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