Annual Flower

When to Plant Nasturtiums in Michigan

Edible flowers that double as pest traps. Plant near vegetables to lure aphids away from your food crops.

The Short Answer

Nasturtiums add edible beauty to Michigan's summer garden, thriving from June through frost with minimal care.

Michigan Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Michigan you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Upper Peninsula 4a, 4b, 5a May 15 - Jun 5 Sep 10 - Sep 25
Northern Lower Michigan 5a, 5b May 10 - May 25 Sep 20 - Oct 5
Southern Michigan 5b, 6a, 6b Apr 25 - May 10 Oct 1 - Oct 15

Nasturtiums Planting Schedule for Michigan

Upper Peninsula (Zones 4a, 4b, 5a)

Average last frost: May 15 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 25

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Northern Lower Michigan (Zones 5a, 5b)

Average last frost: May 10 - May 25 · Average first frost: Sep 20 - Oct 5

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Southern Michigan (Zones 5b, 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: Apr 25 - May 10 · Average first frost: Oct 1 - Oct 15

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Growing Nasturtiums in Michigan

State-Specific Growing Tips

Direct sow from late May. Poor soil, full sun. Plant near vegetables as companion/trap crop for aphids. Flowers and leaves are edible.

Recommended Varieties for Michigan

Jewel Mix, Alaska, Spitfire. All varieties work in Michigan's moderate climate.

Common Challenges in Michigan

Aphids (intentional — they're trap plants). Minimal other issues.

Growing Tips

Both flowers and young leaves are edible with a peppery taste. Thrives in poor soil — too much nitrogen means all leaves, no flowers.

Companion Planting

Plant nasturtiums alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Cucumbers Squash Beans

The Bottom Line

Nasturtiums can be grown successfully in Michigan with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — Upper Peninsula gardeners work with a last frost around May 15 - Jun 5, while Southern Michigan sees frost end around Apr 25 - May 10. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Nasturtiums Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Michigan Planting Calendar All plants for Michigan Nasturtiums in Alabama Alabama planting dates Nasturtiums in Alaska Alaska planting dates Nasturtiums in Arizona Arizona planting dates Nasturtiums in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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