YOUR SIMPLE GROWING PLAN
One pot. Here’s the plan.
Before you start Sow outdoors after frost danger has passed; in very hot regions, choose a milder frost-free growing window instead of peak summer heat.
What you need · pot, mix & supplies
- One 12-inch-wide draining pot, at least 10 inches deep
- 2 Empress of India nasturtium seeds
- Fresh potting mix and a gentle watering can
The soil
Miracle-Gro Organic Potting Mix (US; includes starter nutrients—check your bag)
A sunny patio with room for a spreading plant. Start with seeds.
About 12 inches wide and at least 10 inches deep, with drainage; give the foliage space over the rim.
Choose compact Empress of India; keep one plant after thinning, not both seedlings.
See the planting illustration
- 01
Fill and dampen the pot
Leave 1 inch of space below the rim. Moisten the mix evenly before sowing; do not add fertilizer granules.
- 02
Sow two near the center
After frost danger passes, place 2 seeds about 2 inches apart and cover with ½ inch of mix. Water gently and keep the seed zone moist. Follow your packet if its directions differ.
- 03
Keep one strong seedling
After true leaves appear, snip the weaker seedling at mix level. Do not pull it out and disturb the other roots. Keep the young root zone moist as the remaining plant grows.
- 04
Make room for the flowers
Let the leaves spread over the rim. Remove faded flowers to encourage more blooms and check the mix each morning.
Other ways to start
Buy one young nursery start+
Choose a labeled compact nasturtium, ideally Empress of India. Set its intact root ball at its previous soil level and water it in. A long trailing or climbing type needs a different amount of space.
YOUR EVERYDAY ROUTINE
Water & fertilizer at a glance.
- Water when
- Keep the seed zone and young roots moist. Check a new nursery plant’s root ball too. Once growing well, check daily; water as the top inch starts drying, then drain and empty the saucer.
- Fertilizer
- No added fertilizer for this starting plan
- Amount
- None
- What that amount covers
- No fertilizer dose to calculate.
- How often to feed
- No automatic feeding schedule.
- When to start or pause
- Add no extra fertilizer with fresh enriched mix. If growth later weakens, check light, moisture and drainage before reassessing the bag’s nutrients; few flowers alone do not call for feeding.
See the watering & feeding illustrations
Sprouting and first flowers
Johnny’s lists 7–14 days for germination at 60–65°F and about 55–65 days from sowing to flowering for Empress of India. Its listed height is 16–20 inches, despite the compact habit. These are supplier estimates, not deadlines; leave space for leaves to spread past the pot.
When to sow in mild, frost-free weather
Sow outdoors after frost danger has passed. In very hot regions, choose a milder frost-free growing window and consider afternoon shade. Use local Extension dates rather than a nationwide planting month.
For regional planting windows, find your local Cooperative Extension office ↗.
Something looking off?
Do I have to soak nasturtium seeds first?+
No. Wisconsin Extension says a few hours or an overnight soak can improve germination; it is an optional step. Direct sowing is still the main route in this guide. If your packet gives a pretreatment instruction, follow that for the seed you bought.
Can I start Empress of India indoors?+
Yes. Johnny’s suggests sowing 3–4 weeks before planting out. Use an individual pot with drainage and give seedlings strong light. Gradually acclimate them to outdoor sun and wind, then transplant after frost with the root ball intact. Direct sowing avoids that extra move.
What should I do about aphids on the new shoots?+
Check the leaf undersides and shoot tips for clusters of small, soft-bodied insects. If they are causing damage, use a water spray firm enough to dislodge them without breaking the stems, then recheck. Small numbers often cause little harm. Avoid an automatic broad-spectrum spray that can also kill their natural predators.
Choosing the cultivar and thinning seedlings
Check for the Empress of India cultivar
Compact garden nasturtiums appear under both Tropaeolum majus and T. minus in horticultural references. The practical choice here is the named Empress of India cultivar, not every plant sold simply as nasturtium.
Keep one seedling in the pot
Our 12-inch-wide, 10-inch-deep pot holds one plant so a beginner can check moisture easily. It is an editorial layout, not a measured optimum: Johnny’s allows several nasturtiums in a 10-inch container. Two seeds here provide one spare; they are not two plants to keep.
Help with your next step.
- Check the food already in the bag
Avoid adding another feeding program when your nasturtium’s potting mix already includes starter fertilizer.
- Learn the moisture check for an outdoor pot
Use dampness and drainage to decide when to water instead of pouring the same amount every day.
Sources, dates & detailed PDF
Editorial plans, not results from a Plant Care Steps growing trial. Compiled with AI assistance; they have not yet had an independent horticultural review. Editorial approach.
- Wisconsin Extension: dwarf types, sowing, and restrained feeding ↗
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Empress of India cultivar and flowering estimate ↗
- NC State: nasturtium light, growth, and pests ↗
- Iowa State: monitoring nutrients in containers with pre-fertilized mix ↗
- Manufacturer: starter feed in the named potting mix ↗
- Minnesota Extension: seed moisture, thinning, and acclimating seedlings ↗
- Minnesota Extension: identifying aphids and using water first ↗
Something needs updating? Suggest a correction
Published · Updated
Sources checked View sources ↗
Detailed PDF ↓Full reference edition with expanded explanations and illustrations. Its publication dates appear in the file.
