Harvesting and Storing Nasturtium Seeds for Next Season

If you've noticed pea-sized green pods on your nasturtiums at season's end, those are seed pods. To save them for spring planting, allow the pods to dry on the plant until they turn brown and split open. Collect the seeds and let them air-dry for at least two days in a warm, well-ventilated spot.

Once dry, place the seeds in a zip-top plastic bag, then store the bag inside a sealed plastic container in the back of your refrigerator. This cool, dark, dry environment provides the dormancy period (at least three months) that nasturtium seeds require before they'll germinate. Come spring, sow them directly outdoors after the last frost or start indoors 4–6 weeks earlier.

Nasturtiums are easy to grow from saved seed, and their cheerful blooms and edible flowers make them a garden favorite. Proper storage ensures a vibrant display year after year.