Nasturtium Companion Plants: A Guide

Nasturtiums are versatile plants that offer benefits beyond their vibrant blooms. Gardeners value them for their ability to attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and enhance the growth of neighboring plants. Companion planting with nasturtiums can optimize garden space and improve plant health. Understanding the dynamics of these plant partnerships can boost your garden’s productivity and aesthetics.

Attracting Beneficial Insects

Nasturtiums are a magnet for pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Their bright blossoms draw these insects, which can improve the pollination of adjacent plants. Moreover, their appealing scent and accessible nectar cater to these helpful creatures, enhancing biodiversity within the garden environment.

The presence of beneficial insects goes beyond simple pollination. Many of these creatures, such as ladybugs and hoverflies, also prey on common garden pests. By attracting these natural predators, nasturtiums indirectly protect neighboring plants from aphids and other nuisance insects.

Repelling Harmful Pests

Nasturtiums have natural pest-repellent properties, thanks to the pungent oils and compounds they contain. Gardeners have long used them to ward off insects such as whiteflies, squash bugs, and certain beetles. Planting nasturtiums among crops or vegetables serves as a biological barrier against these pests.

Their strong scent can confuse or deter pests, preventing them from finding their intended targets. This trait makes nasturtiums especially valuable in organic gardens, where reduced or zero pesticide use is a goal. The result is a healthier garden ecosystem with fewer chemicals.

Enhancing Plant Growth

Beyond pest control, nasturtiums contribute to the garden’s well-being by enhancing soil quality. These plants are nutrient scavengers, meaning they pull minerals from deeper soil layers. When they decompose, they enrich the topsoil with these nutrients, benefiting surrounding plants.

This natural fertilization effect can boost the growth of plants with which nasturtiums share their space. By breaking up compacted soil, they improve aeration and drainage, creating a better growing environment for surrounding flora. Their spreading habit can also act as a living mulch, preserving soil moisture and reducing weed growth.

Pairing Nasturtiums with Vegetables

Integrating nasturtiums with vegetable crops is a strategy for improving both yield and natural pest resistance. Here are some popular and effective vegetable pairings:

• Tomatoes: Nasturtiums repel whiteflies and aphids, pests that can plague tomato plants. They also attract hoverflies that consume aphids.
• Cucumbers: By deterring cucumber beetles, nasturtiums protect young cucumber plants. They attract beneficial insects that prey on these pests.
• Broccoli and Cabbage: Their scent helps repel cabbage moths and cabbage loopers, common threats to brassica crops.
• Beans: The pair benefits beans by deterring Mexican bean beetles and serving as a host for pests in place of the main crop.
• Radishes: Nasturtiums attract flea beetles away from radishes, reducing damage to radish leaves.

Nasturtiums in Flower Gardens

Companion planting isn’t limited to edibles. Incorporating nasturtiums into flower beds can provide both visual appeal and ecological benefits. Their vibrant blooms complement many ornamental plants, creating a lively and colorful display.

• Roses: Nasturtiums can act as a deterrent for aphids, a common pest on roses.
• Marigolds: Both have pest-repellent qualities, working together to protect the garden from nematodes and certain insects.
• Lavender: The combination enhances the garden’s aesthetic, and lavender attracts pollinators who will benefit from nasturtiums as well.

Troubleshooting and Considerations

Despite their benefits, it’s important to monitor the presence of certain pests that might be more attracted to nasturtiums than others. Aphids, for example, find them particularly appealing. In some cases, nasturtiums may serve as a trap crop, drawing pests away from more vulnerable plants. However, maintaining a balance is key to preventing a pest harbor.

Watch for mildew in humid climates. Nasturtiums are susceptible to this fungal issue, and adequate spacing and air circulation can mitigate the risk. Inspect plants regularly and take necessary steps such as removing affected foliage to prevent the spread of disease.

While easy to grow, nasturtiums have a reputation for being victims of overwatering. They adapt well to poorer soils, and too fertile or moist a soil can lead to lush foliage with fewer flowers. Soil conditions suited to nasturtiums often yield better pest deterrent and companion planting outcomes.

In mixed or inter-planted gardens, ensure that nasturtiums don’t outcompete neighbors for resources. Their sprawling nature can overshadow smaller plants, so strategic placement is necessary.

Conclusion

Understanding which plants benefit from proximity to nasturtiums can transform your approach to gardening. This companion plant can strengthen and enrich your garden environment. With a bit of planning, nasturtiums can drive pest management, improve plant health, and even boost crop yields.