edible

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant that pulls double duty in the garden, nasturtiums might just be the MVP you didn’t know you needed. According to gardening expert Joseph Clark, who shares his green-thumb wisdom on TikTok, nasturtiums are the one plant every gardener should grow—whether you’ve got a backyard farm or a few pots on a balcony.

“They’re super simple and easy to grow,” Clark explains. “Once planted, they pretty much take care of themselves.” But what really makes nasturtiums stand out isn’t just their vibrant flowers—it’s their garden-saving benefits.

These cheerful blooms act as a natural pest magnet, drawing in slugs, snails, and cabbage butterflies before they reach your prized veggies. “They’re like a decoy for pests,” Clark says. “It helps protect your brassicas and other crops without using chemicals.”

Even better? Nasturtiums are entirely edible. The leaves and flowers add a peppery kick to salads, similar to arugula. And once you plant them, they tend to stick around—self-seeding each year to return in full bloom come spring.

Now is the ideal time to sow seeds or pick up a few starter plants. 

Tuck them around your vegetables or use them to dress up unsightly fences. As one TikTok gardener shared: “I planted them once, 10 years ago—never had to replant. They just come back.”

Pretty, practical, and tasty? That’s a triple threat. Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned grower, nasturtiums are a colorful, carefree way to boost beauty, flavor, and protection in your garden.