Nasturtium, also called Indian cress and watercress, is a climbing annual that has round, green leaves. Known by its botanical name, Tropaeolum majus is a valuable herb and companion plant to organic gardeners around the world. The plants attract aphids away from more vulnerable garden fruits and vegetables, and when used in spray solutions, nasturtium repels whiteflies and squash bugs. In all but the tropical hardiness zones, Nasturtiums are grown as annuals. Its flowers are showy displays of yellow, orange, and red. The plant can grow as tall as 12 feet, or in dwarf varieties, less than a foot. The entire plant has a spicy and pungent flavor similar to cress. It is a favorite on salads and sandwiches, and the pickled seeds make a tasty treat in the winter, as well as making a good substitute for capers.
The nasturtium is best propagated by seeds. The soil should be well drained. If flowers are desired, make sure the soil is not too rich. The fast-growing annual will be ready for harvesting by mid-summer when planted in the spring. In some climates, it readily self-seeds, and is considered invasive, but it can be easily controlled by pruning or by simply removing unwanted growth.