When to Plant Nasturtium in Pennsylvania

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a fast-growing annual with distinctive round, lily-pad leaves and bold trumpet-shaped blooms in warm oranges, reds, and yellows. Both the flowers and leaves are edible with a peppery watercress flavor. Planted near vegetables, nasturtiums act as a sacrifice trap-crop, luring aphids away from more valuable plants. They thrive in poor, dry soil — rich conditions produce lush foliage but few flowers.

Pennsylvania spans USDA hardiness zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

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Click your county for exact Nasturtium planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Nasturtium Planting Calendar for Pennsylvania

▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	March 21	Mar 21 – Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors	April 25	Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow	April 25	Apr 25 – May 16
Bloom	June 20	Jun 20 – Oct 3

▸ Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	March 13	Mar 13 – Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors	April 17	Apr 17 – May 1
Direct Sow	April 17	Apr 17 – May 8
Bloom	June 12	Jun 12 – Oct 2

▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	March 6	Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors	April 3	Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow	April 3	Apr 3 – Apr 24
Bloom	May 29	May 29 – Sep 25

▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 25	Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 15
Bloom	May 20	May 20 – Sep 23

▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 18	Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors	March 18	Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow	March 18	Mar 18 – Apr 8
Bloom	May 13	May 13 – Sep 30

Growing Tips for Pennsylvania

Direct-sow large seeds 1/2 inch deep after last frost; soak seeds overnight to speed germination (7-10 days). Nasturtiums dislike root disturbance so direct sowing is strongly preferred. Avoid fertilizing — poor soil brings the best bloom. Trailing types can cover banks and climb trellises; dwarf types suit containers. In hot climates (zones 9+) plant in fall for winter/spring bloom as plants struggle in peak summer heat.

Nasturtium in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Nasturtium in Pennsylvania?

Planting dates for Nasturtium in Pennsylvania depend on your USDA zone. Pennsylvania spans zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Pennsylvania for planting?

Pennsylvania contains USDA hardiness zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

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