My 3 Year Nasturtium Experiment – These 23 Plant Combos Changed Everything

Plant Care
By Harris Cole

Over the past three years, my exploration with nasturtiums has led to fascinating discoveries. Known for their vibrant flowers and edible leaves, these plants are more than just a pretty face. By combining them with various other plants, I’ve unlocked a treasure trove of garden benefits. From pest control to soil enrichment, nasturtiums have proven to be incredibly versatile companions. This experiment not only transformed my garden but also enriched my understanding of companion planting. Here, I present 23 remarkable plant combinations that changed everything.

1. Nasturtium and Tomatoes

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Tomatoes love nasturtiums for their natural pest-repelling properties. When nestled among tomato plants, nasturtiums act as a living barrier against aphids and whiteflies. This companionship not only keeps pests at bay but also enriches the soil with essential nutrients. Tomatoes thrive, producing juicy, vibrant fruits.

This combination creates a visually stunning garden scene, where the bright nasturtium blooms contrast with the lush green of tomato leaves. It’s a symbiotic relationship that turns any garden into a thriving ecosystem.

The aromatic blend of tomato vines and nasturtium flowers is truly delightful.

2. Nasturtium and Cucumbers

© Bunny’s Garden

Cucumbers and nasturtiums form an excellent plant duo. The sprawling nasturtiums provide ground cover, reducing weed growth around cucumber plants. This natural mulch effect conserves soil moisture, benefiting cucumber development.

As nasturtiums deter cucumber beetles, this pairing keeps cucumber plants healthy and productive. The vibrant flowers add a splash of color, making the garden both functional and attractive.

This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and weeds while enhancing the garden’s aesthetic.

3. Nasturtium and Radishes

© The Spruce

Radishes and nasturtiums are a dynamic duo in the garden. Nasturtiums repel pests like flea beetles, which often target radishes. This protection results in healthier, more robust radish crops.

The rapid growth of radishes complements the slower-growing nasturtiums, making efficient use of garden space. As radishes mature, nasturtiums spread, creating a lush carpet of foliage and flowers.

This partnership not only boosts radish health but also adds visual appeal with colorful blooms amidst green radish tops, enhancing both the garden’s productivity and aesthetic.

4. Nasturtium and Beans

© Growing Spaces

Beans and nasturtiums thrive together, weaving a tapestry of color and productivity. The nasturtiums’ trailing vines and bright flowers attract pollinators, boosting bean yields.

As beans grow upward, they provide support for the nasturtiums, creating a natural trellis effect. This vertical garden arrangement maximizes space and adds a dynamic visual element.

Beyond aesthetics, nasturtiums deter pests such as aphids from attacking bean plants, ensuring a healthy, bountiful harvest. This pairing is a testament to the power of strategic companion planting.

5. Nasturtium and Zucchini

© Bunny’s Garden

Zucchini and nasturtiums are a garden match made in heaven. Nasturtiums act as a natural bug repellent, protecting zucchini plants from harmful pests. The sprawling growth of nasturtiums provides ground cover, retaining soil moisture and suppressing weeds.

This combination ensures that zucchini plants remain healthy and productive. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add a splash of color, making the garden both functional and visually appealing.

This duo thrives in sunny garden spots, where the benefits of companion planting are clearly visible, creating a thriving, balanced garden ecosystem.

6. Nasturtium and Peppers

© Nitty Gritty Life

Peppers and nasturtiums form a formidable alliance in the garden. Nasturtiums act as a natural deterrent to aphids and other pests that can plague pepper plants. This protection ensures robust pepper growth and increases yields.

Nasturtiums’ bright flowers attract beneficial insects, enhancing pollination and promoting a healthy garden environment. This pairing results in a striking visual display, with colorful blooms amidst green pepper foliage.

The combination is an excellent example of how companion planting can improve crop health and productivity while adding beauty to the garden landscape.

7. Nasturtium and Carrots

© Better Homes & Gardens

Carrots and nasturtiums are a harmonious pairing in the garden. Nasturtiums’ natural pest-repellent properties protect carrots from common pests like carrot flies.

This protective barrier ensures healthier carrot crops with higher yields. As nasturtiums spread, they provide shade for carrots, keeping the soil cool and moist, ideal for carrot growth.

The vibrant nasturtium blooms create a stunning contrast against the feathery carrot tops, enhancing the garden’s visual appeal. This combination is a testament to the benefits of strategic companion planting for both productivity and beauty.

8. Nasturtium and Lettuce

© gianna__cerniglia

Lettuce and nasturtiums make a delightful garden pair. The nasturtiums’ sprawling growth provides shade to lettuce plants, preventing them from bolting in hot weather.

This shading effect creates a microclimate that keeps lettuce leaves tender and crisp. Additionally, nasturtiums repel pests such as aphids, ensuring lettuce plants remain healthy.

The combination enhances the garden’s visual appeal, with colorful nasturtium flowers against the lush green of lettuce. This pairing is an excellent example of how companion planting can improve crop health and garden aesthetics.

9. Nasturtium and Kale

© Little Yellow Wheelbarrow

Kale and nasturtiums form a successful partnership in the garden. Nasturtiums act as a natural pest deterrent, protecting kale from common pests like aphids and cabbage worms.

This companion planting strategy ensures robust kale growth and improves yield. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add a pop of color, making the garden visually appealing.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds. This combination exemplifies the power of strategic planting for both crop health and garden beauty.

10. Nasturtium and Spinach

© Gardenary

Spinach and nasturtiums create a vibrant and productive garden duo. Nasturtiums act as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture around spinach plants.

Their pest-repelling properties protect spinach from common garden pests, ensuring healthy, robust growth. The bright nasturtium flowers add visual interest, creating a stunning garden display.

This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and weeds while enhancing the garden’s aesthetic. It’s a testament to the benefits of companion planting.

11. Nasturtium and Strawberries

© Readly

Strawberries and nasturtiums create a delightful garden partnership. Nasturtiums’ pest-repelling properties protect strawberries from common pests, such as slugs and aphids.

This protection ensures plump, juicy strawberries with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add a splash of color, making the garden both functional and attractive.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and reducing weed growth. This combination showcases the benefits of strategic companion planting, enhancing both productivity and beauty in the garden.

12. Nasturtium and Basil

© Rural Sprout

Basil and nasturtiums are a fragrant and colorful garden duo. Nasturtiums act as a natural pest deterrent, protecting basil from aphids and other common pests.

This pairing ensures healthy, robust basil growth with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add visual interest, creating a stunning garden display.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds. This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and enhance the garden’s aesthetic.

13. Nasturtium and Potatoes

© This Is My Garden

Potatoes and nasturtiums form an effective garden partnership. Nasturtiums’ pest-repelling properties protect potatoes from common pests like Colorado potato beetles.

This protection ensures healthy potato growth and increases yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add a splash of color, making the garden both functional and attractive.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and reducing weed growth. This combination showcases the benefits of strategic companion planting, enhancing both productivity and beauty in the garden.

14. Nasturtium and Corn

© Rocket Gardens

Corn and nasturtiums create a dynamic garden partnership. Nasturtiums’ pest-repelling properties protect corn from common pests, such as aphids and corn earworms.

This protection ensures robust corn growth with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add a splash of color, making the garden both functional and attractive.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and reducing weed growth. This combination exemplifies the power of strategic companion planting, enhancing both productivity and beauty in the garden.

15. Nasturtium and Sunflowers

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Sunflowers and nasturtiums form a vibrant garden duo. Nasturtiums’ bright flowers attract pollinators, enhancing sunflower growth and productivity.

This combination creates a stunning visual display, with colorful nasturtium blooms contrasting against towering sunflowers. The partnership promotes biodiversity and supports a healthy garden ecosystem.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and reducing weed growth. This pairing is a testament to the benefits of companion planting for both garden health and aesthetics.

16. Nasturtium and Marigolds

© Organic Garden Club of Ventura County

Marigolds and nasturtiums create a powerful pest-fighting duo in the garden. Both plants possess natural pest-repellent properties, protecting surrounding plants from harmful insects.

This combination creates a vibrant garden display, with colorful flowers attracting beneficial pollinators. The partnership enhances biodiversity and supports a healthy garden ecosystem.

As nasturtiums and marigolds spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and reducing weed growth. This pairing exemplifies the power of strategic planting for both garden health and aesthetics.

17. Nasturtium and Lavender

© Gardening Know How

Lavender and nasturtiums create a fragrant and colorful garden duo. Nasturtiums act as a natural pest deterrent, protecting lavender from aphids and other common pests.

This pairing ensures healthy, robust lavender growth with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add visual interest, creating a stunning garden display.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds. This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and enhance the garden’s aesthetic.

18. Nasturtium and Rosemary

© Meadowlark Journal

Rosemary and nasturtiums are a fragrant and colorful garden duo. Nasturtiums act as a natural pest deterrent, protecting rosemary from aphids and other common pests.

This pairing ensures healthy, robust rosemary growth with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add visual interest, creating a stunning garden display.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds. This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and enhance the garden’s aesthetic.

19. Nasturtium and Borage

© Gardeningetc

Borage and nasturtiums form a pollinator-friendly garden duo. Nasturtiums’ bright flowers attract beneficial insects, enhancing borage growth and productivity.

This combination creates a vibrant garden display, with colorful flowers supporting a healthy garden ecosystem. The partnership promotes biodiversity and enhances garden beauty.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and reducing weed growth. This pairing is a testament to the benefits of companion planting for both garden health and aesthetics.

20. Nasturtium and Chives

© Rural Sprout

Chives and nasturtiums create a flavorful and pest-resistant garden duo. Nasturtiums act as a natural pest deterrent, protecting chives from aphids and other common pests.

This pairing ensures healthy, robust chive growth with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add visual interest, creating a stunning garden display.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds. This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and enhance the garden’s aesthetic.

21. Nasturtium and Mint

© AllThatGrows

Mint and nasturtiums form a fragrant and colorful garden duo. Nasturtiums act as a natural pest deterrent, protecting mint from aphids and other common pests.

This pairing ensures healthy, robust mint growth with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add visual interest, creating a stunning garden display.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds. This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and enhance the garden’s aesthetic.

22. Nasturtium and Thyme

© Harvest to Table

Thyme and nasturtiums are a fragrant and colorful garden duo. Nasturtiums act as a natural pest deterrent, protecting thyme from aphids and other common pests.

This pairing ensures healthy, robust thyme growth with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add visual interest, creating a stunning garden display.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds. This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and enhance the garden’s aesthetic.

23. Nasturtium and Sage

© Gardenary

Sage and nasturtiums create a fragrant and colorful garden duo. Nasturtiums act as a natural pest deterrent, protecting sage from aphids and other common pests.

This pairing ensures healthy, robust sage growth with increased yields. The vibrant nasturtium flowers add visual interest, creating a stunning garden display.

As nasturtiums spread, they provide ground cover, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds. This combination thrives in sunny spots, offering gardeners a practical and beautiful way to manage pests and enhance the garden’s aesthetic.