Garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Garden nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus, is a cheerful climbing or trailing annual from the Andes with round leaves and bright orange, yellow and red flowers. Every part tastes peppery, like watercress. The flowers and leaves go into salads, and the green seeds are pickled like capers. It grows well in Indian hill gardens and in the cool season on the plains.

Botanical name: Tropaeolum majus L.
Family: Tropaeolaceae
Tamil: Nasturtium
Hindi: Nasturtium
Parts used: Flower, Leaf, Green seed
Habit: Garden nasturtium; watercress is a different family
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Garden nasturtium

The leaves are round and shield-like, with the stalk attached at the centre underneath, and veins radiating outwards.

Water beads up and rolls off the leaves, which are water-repellent like lotus leaves.

Flowers are trumpet-shaped with a long spur at the back, in orange, yellow, red or cream.

The seeds are round, wrinkled and green, ripening to tan. Watercress, Nasturtium officinale, is an unrelated aquatic plant of the mustard family.

Traditional use of Garden nasturtium

Kitchen

Flowers and leaves are eaten in salads and sandwiches, and green seeds are pickled in vinegar as poor man’s capers.

European and American food practice

Gardening

Gardeners plant it as a companion to vegetables, because it lures aphids away from crops.

Garden practice

Modern notes on Garden nasturtium

The peppery taste comes from glucotropaeolin, which breaks down to benzyl isothiocyanate, related to the compounds in mustard and cress.

The leaves are rich in vitamin C.

Garden nasturtium safety

Eat only plants grown without pesticides. Large amounts may irritate the stomach.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to the Andes of South America and is grown worldwide as an ornamental.

In India it grows best in the cool season and in the hills, and it struggles in hot, humid weather.

Hummingbirds pollinate it in the Americas, and bees and butterflies visit it in India.

Related plants

Questions about Garden nasturtium

Is Garden nasturtium watercress?

No. Watercress is Nasturtium officinale.

Are the flowers of Garden nasturtium edible?

Yes, with a peppery taste.

Why does water roll off the leaves of Garden nasturtium?

Their surface is water-repellent.

How do I grow Garden nasturtium?

Sow the large seeds directly in poor soil in the cool season. Rich soil gives leaves instead of flowers.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.