Black Velvet

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

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Velvety, near-black blooms and foliage bring a dramatic, inky allure to the garden—then reward you with peppery, bright flavor that feels vivid and alive.

Black Velvet’s tender leaves and flowers offer a crisp, succulent bite with a gentle heat, perfect for adding bold color and zing to fresh arrangements and vibrant garnishes. Grow it for a fast, trailing splash of color in about 50 days, where every bloom seems to glow against deep green.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Mounding

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Black Velvet Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 8th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 31st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Mounding
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Velvet nasturtium is built for eating—its near-black petals and tender foliage deliver a crisp, peppery snap with a light burn that wakes up creamy or fatty foods. Because the flavor is assertive, use it as the last-minute hit: it stays crunchy and keeps its inky, jewel-toned presence on the plate.

Best Uses

scatter the flowers and young leaves over tomato, cucumber, and citrus salads
use as a sharp garnish on creamy soups right before serving
toss petals into herb salads with a quick vinaigrette
plate on tacos or grain bowls as a vivid, crunchy top note

Flavor Profile

peppery, watercress-like bite bright citrusy snap tender leaf-and-petal crunch gentle heat that lingers

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil goat cheese heirloom tomatoes cucumber duck or roast chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my Black Velvet (eggplant) plants get leaves speckled with tiny spots and a grayish webbing?

This looks like spider mites, which thrive in hot, dry weather. Rinse the underside of leaves with a strong spray, then spray insecticidal soap (or neem) every 5–7 days for 3 rounds, making sure to coat leaf undersides. Increase humidity around the plants by mulching and watering consistently to reduce mite flare-ups.

How often should I water Black Velvet during the main growing phase so the fruit doesn’t drop?

Water deeply whenever the top 1 inch of soil dries out—usually about 1–2 times per week, depending on heat. Keep soil evenly moist during flowering and fruiting; eggplant will drop buds/young fruit if the soil swings between wet and dry. Apply water at the base and use mulch to hold moisture, targeting consistent moisture through the 50-day season.

How can I tell when Black Velvet is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruits are glossy dark purple/black and firm, typically about 50 days from transplanting (or near your packet’s maturity). Pick fruits when they’re roughly 6–8 inches long (and still slender); if the skin looks dull or the fruit feels soft or seedy, it’s past prime. Use pruning shears to cut the stem with a short cap of stem attached.