Give nasturtiums somewhere to trail

Two packets of annual nasturtiums can produce very different shapes. Some varieties form compact plants; others send long stems across the ground or over a pot rim.

Decide where the stems can go

Read the growth habit before planting. A trailing variety works well where stems can fall without blocking a walkway. A compact form is easier in a small pot beside a door. If you want climbing growth, choose an appropriate variety and provide support.

Use a sunny position or the light conditions recommended for your variety. Avoid excessively rich feeding intended to force flowers; vigorous foliage is not always accompanied by the display you imagined.

Watch rather than assume

Check for aphids on soft growth and inspect the mix before watering. A plant spreading outside the pot can conceal how small its root space remains. Lift trailing stems gently when checking beneath them, rather than tugging the whole plant aside.

Nasturtiums are sometimes described as edible, but never eat a plant solely on the strength of a common name or a decorative label. Identification and treatment history matter. For a beginner's ornamental container, the immediate job is simpler: give the chosen growth habit room and learn how quickly that particular pot dries in its location.