When to Plant Nasturtium in Portland, Arkansas (71663)

Location

Portland, Arkansas

ZIP Code

71663

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, March 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, March 15, 2026 · Zone 8b

Pro tip: Sow Nasturtium directly outdoors 1 week after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Tropaeolum majus

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-18"

Spread 18"

Type Annual

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Low (drought tolerant)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Nasturtium in Portland?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, March 22, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

TomatoCucumberSquashRadish

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Nasturtium

See which plants help Nasturtium thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌍 Flower Garden Soil ✂️ Pruning Shears 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Nasturtium Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Alaska

open-pollinated

Variegated white-splashed leaves with bright mixed flowers; edible blooms and leaves.

Jewel Mix

open-pollinated

Classic bushy mix of red, orange, and yellow flowers; most commonly grown variety.

Empress of India

heirloom

Heirloom compact variety with deep scarlet flowers against dark blue-green foliage.

Moonlight

open-pollinated

Trailing variety with pale yellow flowers; beautiful in hanging baskets.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Seeds ripen quickly after flowering — collect wrinkled, tan-brown seeds directly from the plant.

Processing

Pick seeds when tan and firm, lay flat to dry for 2 weeks before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Large, easy-to-handle seeds make nasturtium one of the best plants for beginner seed savers.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Nasturtium. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Nasturtium in Portland, Arkansas? +

In Portland (Zone 8b), direct sow Nasturtium outdoors around Sunday, March 22, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Portland, Arkansas? +

The average last spring frost date for Portland, Arkansas (ZIP 71663) is around Sunday, March 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8b.

How long does Nasturtium take to grow? +

Nasturtium typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Portland, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, March 22, 2026 plus 60 days.

Should I start Nasturtium indoors or direct sow in Arkansas? +

Nasturtium does best when direct sown outdoors. In Portland, sow directly around Sunday, March 22, 2026.

📚 More Nasturtium Planting Guides

🗺️

Nasturtium in Arkansas

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8b Nasturtium Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Portland

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Nasturtium in Zone 8b

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a popular garden vegetable. In Portland, Arkansas, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, March 15, 2026. Nasturtium grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.