Chameleon

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

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A living splash of color, Chameleon nasturtium blooms with a beguiling mix of warm, shifting tones that feel velvety at first glance and bright on the palate.

The tender, succulent leaves and blossoms offer a peppery, gently sweet bite with a crisp, juicy texture that’s as vivid in salads as it is in garnishes. Grow Chameleon for a fast, 50-day turnaround of abundant flowers and lush foliage that bring instant garden drama and flavor-forward charm to every planting.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

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Chameleon 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	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

With a peppery sweetness and crisp, juicy bite, Chameleon nasturtium is at its best when it stays fresh and forward—added at the end so the blooms don’t fade. Use it like a living condiment: a scatter over acid and salt to make the peppery snap feel electric.

Best Uses

scatter blossoms and leaf-tips over citrus salads for a peppery lift
use blooms as edible garnish on tacos, tacos de pescado, and bright grain bowls
toss leaves into quick pan-roasted potatoes or buttered noodles at the end for a fresh peppery pop
make a fast pickled nasturtium-bloom “capers” style garnish for cocktails and sandwiches

Flavor Profile

peppery bite with a gentle sweetness crisp, juicy crunch from tender leaves and blooms bright, slightly floral snap on the finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon aged gouda feta olive oil sea salt white fish

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Tropaeolum majus (chameleon/nasturtium), and how can I control it at home?

Watch for aphids and caterpillars, which readily cluster on the tender stems and new leaves of Tropaeolum majus. Rinse aphids off with a strong spray of water, then spot-treat with insecticidal soap if they persist; for caterpillars, hand-pick in the morning or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on the foliage. Also keep plants spaced for airflow and avoid overhead watering to reduce leaf spot and mildew.

How often should I water Tropaeolum majus during its main growing phase?

Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry, then let the soil partially dry again before the next watering. In practice, this often means about 1–2 times per week in warm weather, but less if you have humid conditions. Tropaeolum majus flowers best with moderate moisture—too much water (or rich, constantly wet soil) leads to lush leaves but fewer blooms.

How do I tell when Tropaeolum majus is ready to harvest?

For leaf and flower harvests, pick when buds form and flowers open fully—typically around 50 days from sowing, depending on temperature. If harvesting seeds, leave seed pods on the plant until they turn green to pale brown and the seeds inside feel firm, then harvest and dry the pods for storage. Harvesting regularly for flowers encourages continued blooming through the season.