Flame nasturtium (Flame creeper) care

Light

Flame nasturtium is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. The classic planting advice is 'cool roots, sunny tops': plant with the base in shade (behind a north-facing hedge root zone or under leafy plants) and allow stems to climb into dappled to full sun. Direct sun on roots or exposure to hot, dry conditions causes rapid decline. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water flame nasturtium water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, especially in spring and summer. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Requires reliably moist, humus-rich soil throughout the growing season. Does not tolerate drought; will yellow and retreat back to the tuber in dry spells. In regions with cool, wet summers — particularly Scotland and the northwest of England — it may need no supplemental watering.

Soil and pot

Flame nasturtium grows best in moist, humus-rich, acid to neutral soil. Prefers a cool, leafy, woodland-type soil with pH 5.5–6.5. Incorporate plenty of leaf mould or garden compost at planting. Dry, sandy, or chalky alkaline soils are unsuitable — the plant struggles and rarely returns after winter. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Flame nasturtium sits happiest at around 60–80% humidity and -12 to 20°C (10–68°F). Native to moist Chilean rainforest margins; thrives where summers are cool and humid. Performs best in the wetter upland gardens of the UK — northwest England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Struggles in the hot, dry south and east. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed flame nasturtium sparingly. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring as shoots emerge. A liquid high-potash feed monthly during flowering encourages longer bloom. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which promote foliage at the expense of flowers. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on flame nasturtium in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Failure to establish or return after winter — Most common in alkaline, dry, or south-facing warm soils; the tuber desiccates in summer heat — cool, acid, humus-rich soil with the root zone in shade is non-negotiable.
• Aphids and whitefly — Both pests are attracted to the soft new growth; treat with insecticidal soap or introduce natural predators such as ladybirds.
• Virus diseases — Mosaic virus causes mottled, distorted foliage and is spread by aphids; remove and destroy affected plants promptly and control aphid populations.

Propagation

Sow fresh seed in autumn in pots of gritty, humus-rich compost and overwinter in a cold frame; germination can be erratic and may take several months. Established tubers can be carefully divided in spring before growth starts. Semi-ripe cuttings taken in early summer root slowly under mist. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Flame nasturtium is pet-safe. Tropaeolum (nasturtium) is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Tropaeolum speciosum belongs to the same genus and contains no known toxic principles for pets. The RHS flags it as a skin allergen — wear gloves when handling to avoid contact dermatitis. The berries are not a culinary crop and may cause mild stomach upset if eaten in quantity. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Flame nasturtium deep-dive guides

Every aspect of flame nasturtium care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Flame nasturtium watering schedule
• Flame nasturtium light requirements
• Best soil mix for flame nasturtium
• Flame nasturtium fertilizing guide
• When to repot flame nasturtium
• How to propagate flame nasturtium
• Flame nasturtium growth rate & size
• Flame nasturtium cold hardiness
• Flame nasturtium temperature & humidity
• Is flame nasturtium toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is flame nasturtium toxic to cats?
• Is flame nasturtium toxic to dogs?
• Getting flame nasturtium to bloom

Featured in these plant shortlists

Flame nasturtium qualifies for 14 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best trailing & climbing houseplants — Vining and trailing houseplants for shelves, hanging pots, and moss poles — selected by growth habit.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Best flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
• Best pet-safe trailing & hanging plants — Trailing and climbing plants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — safe for shelves and hanging pots in a pet home.
• Best pet-safe low-maintenance plants — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and forgiving of forgotten watering — the easiest safe choices for a busy pet household.
• Best pet-safe flowering plants — Flowering houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — colour and blooms in a pet home, without the worry.
• Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
• Best pet-safe large indoor plants — Big, floor-standing houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — a statement plant that is safe around pets.
• Best houseplants for a cool room — Houseplants that tolerate cool conditions down to about 10°C — for an unheated spare room, hallway, porch or a home kept cool.
• Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
• Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Flame nasturtium is also known as Flame nasturtium, Flame creeper, and Scottish flame flower.

• Daphne cneorum care — light, water and common problems
• Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' care — light, water and common problems
• Fothergilla gardenii care — light, water and common problems
• All 6887 plant care guides in the Growli library