Yellow Nasturtium: How to Grow, Care for, and Use Yellow-Flowered Nasturtiums

Yellow nasturtiums are bright, cheerful plants that bring warmth and colour to gardens, patios, and allotments. Known for their sunny yellow blooms, rounded leaves, and fast growth, yellow nasturtiums are easy to grow, low maintenance, and completely edible. They are ideal for beginners and thrive in UK growing conditions.

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Nasturtiums are cheerful, edible flowers with bright colours and peppery taste — easy to grow in beds, containers, and hanging baskets.

• Nasturtium Seed Collection (Mixed Colours)
A mix of vibrant nasturtium seeds — perfect for sowing directly outdoors or under cover early in the season.
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• Nasturtium Plug Plants / Young Seedlings
Healthy young nasturtium plants ready to transplant into borders or containers for instant summer colour.
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• Well-Draining Flower & Annual Compost
Light, nutrient-balanced compost ideal for nurturing nasturtium roots and encouraging healthy growth.
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• Grow Lights for Early Sowing
Bright LED grow lights that help keep indoors-sown nasturtiums strong and stocky before planting outside.
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• Decorative Pots & Planters for Nasturtiums
Attractive containers that show off nasturtium blooms on patios, balconies, or windowsills.
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This guide explains how to grow yellow nasturtiums, where they grow best, how to care for them, and how to use them in the garden and kitchen.

What Is a Yellow Nasturtium?

A yellow nasturtium is a variety of nasturtium that produces yellow or pale lemon-coloured flowers. These may be solid yellow or lightly marked, depending on the cultivar. Yellow nasturtiums can be:

Dwarf (bush) types
Trailing varieties
Climbing or scrambling types

All share the same easy-growing nature and edible qualities.

Why Grow Yellow Nasturtiums?

Yellow nasturtiums are popular because they are:

Easy to grow from seed
Bright and uplifting in colour
Long flowering
Fully edible
Attractive to pollinators
Suitable for pots, borders, and hanging baskets

Their lighter colour works particularly well in soft planting schemes and wildlife gardens.

When to Sow Yellow Nasturtium Seeds (UK)

Yellow nasturtiums are frost tender and should be sown in spring.

Indoors: March to April
Outdoors: Late April to May
Flowering: June to October

Outdoor sowing should only take place once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Where to Grow Yellow Nasturtiums

Yellow nasturtiums grow best in:

Full sun
Free-draining soil
Poor to moderately fertile ground

Avoid rich soil and heavy feeding, as this produces lots of leaves but fewer flowers. Nasturtiums flower best when slightly stressed.

They are suitable for:

Borders
Raised beds
Containers
Hanging baskets
Allotments

Growth Habit and Size

Depending on the type, yellow nasturtiums can grow:

Dwarf types: 25–30cm tall
Trailing types: 1.5–3 metres long
Climbing types: Up to 3 metres with support

Always check the seed packet for growth habit.

Watering and Feeding

Yellow nasturtiums are low maintenance.

Water regularly while young
Once established, water sparingly
Do not feed with fertiliser

Too much water or feed reduces flowering and weakens growth.

Flowering Period

Yellow nasturtiums flower for a long season:

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March is when the growing season truly begins. Seeds are being sown daily, beds are prepared and late frosts are still possible — these essentials help produce strong plants and a successful start.

Seed Trays, Modules & Propagation Kits — perfect for tomatoes, brassicas, lettuce, onions and flowers. 👉 Click here to see top options

Heated Propagators, Heat Mats & Grow Lights — improves germination and prevents leggy seedlings during cold nights. 👉 Click here to see top options

Seed & Cutting Compost — essential for healthy seedlings and strong root growth. 👉 Click here to see top options

Garden Fleece & Plant Protection Covers — protects seedlings, potatoes and early plantings from late frost. 👉 Click here to see top options

Spring Vegetable Seeds — carrots, beetroot, peas, spinach and salads can all be started now. 👉 Click here to see top options

Garden Kneeler & Seat — makes long sowing and planting sessions far more comfortable. 👉 Click here to see top options

Pressure Washer (Greenhouse & Patio Cleaning) — clean patios, paths and greenhouses before planting. 👉 Click here to see top options

Solar Garden Lights — perfect for enjoying the garden during brighter spring evenings. 👉 Click here to see top options

From early summer
Through to the first frost

Deadheading spent blooms helps encourage continuous flowering.

Are Yellow Nasturtiums Edible?

Yes. All parts of yellow nasturtiums are edible.

Leaves: Peppery, similar to watercress
Flowers: Mild, slightly sweet, decorative
Seeds: Can be pickled and used like capers

The yellow flowers are especially popular for salads and garnishes because of their bright colour.

Are Yellow Nasturtiums Good for Wildlife?

Yes. Yellow nasturtiums are excellent for wildlife-friendly gardens.

They:

Attract bees and pollinators
Provide shelter with dense foliage
Act as trap plants for aphids

They are often planted near vegetables to protect crops.

Common Problems With Yellow Nasturtiums

Lots of leaves, few flowers

Soil too rich
Excess feeding

Poor growth

Too much shade
Cold or wet soil

Aphids
Common but often useful as a trap plant.

Do Yellow Nasturtiums Self-Seed?

Yes. If seed pods are left to mature:

Seeds drop naturally
New plants may appear the following year

Self-seeded plants often grow vigorously.

Are Yellow Nasturtiums Suitable for Beginners?

Absolutely. Yellow nasturtiums are among the easiest flowers to grow.

They:

Germinate quickly
Need minimal care
Tolerate poor soil
Flower for months

They are perfect for children, first-time gardeners, and low-maintenance plots.

Final Thoughts on Yellow Nasturtiums

Yellow nasturtiums are bright, reliable, and incredibly easy to grow. Whether planted in pots, borders, or hanging baskets, they provide long-lasting colour, edible flowers, and wildlife benefits with very little effort.

For a cheerful plant that thrives in UK gardens and rewards growers generously, yellow nasturtiums are a fantastic choice.

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