How to Grow Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream'
Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream'
Tropaeolum majus 'Strawberries and Cream'
flowerA stunning ornamental nasturtium cultivar featuring cream-colored petals with deep red or crimson streaks and blotches, creating a striking strawberry-like appearance. This vigorous annual climber or mounding plant produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season and is both edible and highly attractive to pollinators. The distinctive variegated flowers pair beautifully with the plant's round, bright green foliage.
When should you plant Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' blooms
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-11; grown as an annual in colder zones, perennial in zones 9-11
Sign up free to see if Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTrue leaves emerge after cotyledons; small round leaves unfold with characteristic peppery appearance
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart if direct seeding
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops trailing or mounding habit with abundant round, blue-green foliage on long petioles; vigorous stem extension
Support with stakes or trellis if training vertically; pinch growing tips to encourage bushiness. Water regularly but allow some drying between waterings. Avoid excessive nitrogen
Flowering
6-12 weeks (or until frost)Distinctive cream and crimson streaked flowers appear in leaf axils; each bloom has 5 petals with prominent curved spur and contrasting coloration
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Fertilize lightly with balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Water consistently during peak bloom
Seed Development
3-4 weeks per seed cycleAfter pollination, round seedpods develop; flowers may slow as plant invests energy in seed production
Allow some flowers to develop seeds if desired for self-sowing next year, or remove seed pods to extend flowering season. Collect seeds when pods turn tan/brown
Decline/Frost Sensitivity
Until frostPlant slows and foliage darkens with first frost; growth halts in cold weather
Remove frost-damaged plant material. In frost-prone zones, treat as annual and remove spent plants. Collect seeds before frost if desired
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with strong water jet; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings
-
Yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure good air circulation
-
Increase humidity; spray foliage with water; use miticide or neem oil if severe
-
Use row covers on young plants; hand-pick caterpillars; allow natural predators
-
and
Handpick in early morning or evening; create barriers with copper tape; use beer traps or diatomaceous earth
Uses
Edible Flowers & Garnish
CulinaryAll parts are edible with a distinctive peppery flavor similar to watercress. Flowers make stunning colorful garnishes for salads, appetizers, and desserts, adding both beauty and a tangy bite to dishes. [source]
Peppery Leaves & Seedpod Capers
CulinaryYoung leaves can be added to salads raw or cooked; immature green seedpods can be pickled as a caper substitute. The peppery compounds provide a unique flavor profile similar to horseradish and mustard greens. [source]
Traditional Herbal Support
MedicinalNasturtium has been traditionally used to support immune function and respiratory health, containing sulfur compounds with antimicrobial properties. Modern herbalists use nasturtium tea or tinctures as a winter wellness support. [source]
Natural Pest Management
HouseholdNasturtiums are excellent trap crop plants that attract aphids and whiteflies away from vegetable gardens, protecting more valuable crops. This companion planting strategy reduces the need for chemical pesticides. [source]
Pollinator & Hummingbird Support
WildlifeThe abundant, nectar-rich flowers are a vital food source for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators during the growing season. Planting nasturtiums increases pollinator populations in gardens and supports local ecosystems. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Flowers are harvestable as soon as they open and provide the best flavor and visual impact on the day of picking. Cut flowers with 2-3 inches of stem in early morning. Pinch off spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming. Edible leaves and seedpods can also be harvested; young leaves and pods are most tender with peppery flavor. Collect mature seedpods (when tan/brown) for seed saving by allowing them to dry on the plant or harvesting and drying indoors
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' is named for its striking resemblance to strawberries with cream—the cream-colored petals spattered with deep red streaks perfectly mimic the appearance of fresh berries and whipped cream
- 🌱 Nasturtium flowers contain a compound called glucotropaeolin that provides their characteristic peppery flavor, which is chemically similar to the compounds in watercress and horseradish, making them a living 'watercress of the air'
- 🌱 These plants are hyperaccumulators of sulfur compounds, which is why they're so effective at absorbing and neutralizing pollutants from air and soil—they've been used in phytoremediation projects to help clean contaminated sites
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Nasturtium 'Strawberries and Cream' timeline →