Nasturtium Aquaticum

Nasturtium Aquaticum is a plant that is grown in various locations around the world. The plant is edible. This includes the flower blooms, leaves and the seeds that the plant produces. It is a fast and easy growing plant that requires very little care in order to thrive. Nasturtium is a member of the cabbage family and is related to the mustard and garden cress species. It provides a peppery, spicy flavor in both its blooms and its leaves.

Cultivating Nasturtium

Growing and cultivating nasturtium aquaticum is very easy. The plants require little care and will thrive in dry soil and direct sunlight. Because nasturtium is semi-aquatic, it is very well suited for drier climates but will thrive in wetter areas as well although wetter soil normally produces more foliage as opposed to blooms. If you want the plant for the vibrant flowers then you should ensure that you plant in drier soil and water only about once per week. If not harvested, the plants can easily grow in excess of ten to twelve feet or more.

Edible Nasturtium Aquaticum

Nasturtium aquaticum is an edible plant. The leaves and flowers are commonly used in a variety of dishes for a spicy flavor. Salads, soups, fish and a variety of other dishes can be flavored with chopped leaves or blooms. The flowers and leaves are also often stuffed with various ingredients and used for garnish. Nasturtium provides substantial amounts of folic acid, iron and calcium as well as Vitamin C and Vitamin A. They offer many health benefits and have been used for centuries in a number of medical uses including treating influenza and many other medical conditions. There are a variety of websites today that offer various recipes for nasturtium aquaticum. Recipes can be found for the leaves, blooms and the seeds which are commonly used as a less expensive substitute for capers on pizza, in salads and many other dishes.

Where You Can Purchase Nasturtium Aquaticum

You can find the seeds at virtually any online or offline gardening center. Seeds are typically sold in a packet of about 20 to 25 seeds for less than $5 per packet. Some gardening centers also sell the plants before they begin blooming. Plants can typically be purchased for about $5 per plant depending on the size of the plant and where you purchase. If you are purchasing online you should ensure that you are buying from a reputable dealer to be certain that you receive healthy plants. Pay strict attention to the shipping times as well if you are purchasing plants as opposed to seeds. You want to be sure that you receive the plants in a timely manner so that you can get them replanted to protect them from becoming too dry during shipping. Many claim that the nasturtium aquaticum can be used as a mild appetite stimulate as well as a good source of antioxidants and to aid in digestion for those with digestive tract issues. Most however, simply use the plants as a flavoring to add an extra bit of zest to favorite dishes.