When to plant nasturtiums
Short answer
Plant nasturtiums around your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 15. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | Jan 15 | Mar 11 |
| Zone 2 | — | Feb 15 | Apr 11 |
| Zone 3 | — | Mar 10 | May 4 |
| Zone 4 | — | Mar 30 | May 24 |
| Zone 5 | — | Apr 15 | Jun 9 |
| Zone 6 | — | Apr 30 | Jun 24 |
| Zone 7 | — | May 15 | Jul 9 |
| Zone 8 | — | Jun 1 | Jul 26 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Nasturtiums is a tender crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for nasturtiums
When to plant nasturtiums comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Nasturtiums is a tender crop, so it goes in right around your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 15.
Nasturtiums is usually sown straight into the ground — no indoor start needed. From there it's roughly 55 days to first bloom.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for nasturtiums ranges from about Mar 10 in warm zone 3 to May 15 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Nasturtiums is tender — it waits until the soil warms after frost |
| Indoor start | Direct-sow — no indoor start needed |
| Days to harvest | About 55 days from planting to first bloom |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Needs warm soil — cold, wet ground stunts or rots it |
How nasturtiums compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 15 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing nasturtiums
- Don't rush nasturtiums outside — cold soil stalls it. Wait until after your last spring frost and, ideally, until nights stay mild.
- Count roughly 55 days from planting to first bloom, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for nasturtiums dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant nasturtiums?
Plant nasturtiums around your last spring frost. That's around Mar 30 in zone 4 and Apr 30 in zone 6.
Can I direct sow nasturtiums?
Yes — nasturtiums is usually sown directly in the garden rather than started indoors.
How long until nasturtiums blooms?
About 55 days from planting until first bloom. In zone 6, nasturtiums planted around Apr 30 is typically blooming near Jun 24.