Trailing
Black Velvet Nasturtium is a stunning dwarf annual that brings theatrical drama to any garden with its dazzling dark cocoa-colored flowers and yellow throats set against bright green foliage. This heirloom cultivar reaches just 12 inches tall and equally wide, making it perfectly suited to containers, beds, and borders. From seed to bloom in 70, 84 days, it flowers prolifically from summer through fall in full sun, and both petals and foliage are edible with a piquant flavor. Deer-resistant and powerfully attractive to pollinators, Black Velvet Nasturtium doubles the bloom production of many other nasturtium varieties while remaining compact and manageable.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-12
12in H x 12in W
Annual, Perennial
High
Hover over chart points for details
What makes Black Velvet Nasturtium extraordinary is its prolific flowering, this variety produces twice as many blossoms as other nasturtium kinds while maintaining a tidy, container-friendly 12-by-12-inch footprint. The deep cocoa-colored flowers create a dramatic visual statement in the garden or on the dinner plate, and both petals and foliage are edible, adding a piquant touch to salads and garnishes. Its compact cascading growth habit makes it ideal for edging flower beds and vegetable gardens, and it famously serves as a trap crop, drawing pest infestations away from more vulnerable plants.
Black Velvet Nasturtium excels as an ornamental edging plant for flower beds and vegetable gardens, where its dramatic dark flowers and compact form create sharp visual contrast. The edible petals and foliage bring piquant flavor and visual whimsy to salads, cheese plates, and garnishes, adding both color and a peppery bite. In bouquets, this variety contributes texture and drama. Beyond aesthetics, it serves as a strategic trap crop, intentionally planted to attract aphids and other garden pests, drawing infestations away from vegetables and tender ornamentals.
Start Black Velvet Nasturtium indoors 2–4 weeks before your average last frost date, sowing in biodegradable pots kept at 65°F—roots are sensitive to transplant disturbance, so pots that can be directly planted in the ground minimize damage. Cover seeds lightly and expect sprouting within 7–14 days. Alternatively, for varieties requiring pre-chilling, mix seeds with moistened peat moss in a plastic bag and hold at 60°F for 2–3 days, then refrigerate for 30–90 days before sowing.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings into the garden after your last frost date has passed, when soil temperatures reach at least 55–65°F. If starting in biodegradable pots, plant pots and all to avoid root disturbance. Space plants 8 inches apart.
Direct sowing after the last frost date is strongly recommended for Black Velvet Nasturtium. Sow seeds directly where you want them to grow, as nasturtiums prefer undisturbed root systems and germinate quickly in warm soil. For mild climates, sow in fall for winter bloom.
For fresh-cut flowers, harvest in the morning when blooms are at their peak and petals are just opening, using a clean knife dipped in a 10% household bleach solution to minimize disease spread. To extend vase life, place cut flowers in fresh water with a few drops of bleach added. For edible petals and foliage, harvest young leaves and open flowers as needed throughout the growing season, selecting the most vibrant and unblemished specimens.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.