Empress Of India

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Empress Of India to a garden.

Fragrant, jewel-bright blossoms open in a riot of warm sunset tones, with a peppery snap and a clean, slightly citrusy lift that feels instantly refreshing.

Empress Of India produces lush, trailing nasturtium foliage with succulent stems and tender leaves, creating a vivid living bouquet that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful. Grow it for abundant garden color and for vibrant garnishes, salads, and quick pickling accents that capture its distinctive bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Empress Of India

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Empress Of India 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 16th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 9th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 3rd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jun 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 25th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 16th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 7th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 26th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
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

Empress Of India nasturtiums taste like a pepper-lemon handshake—instant lift with a juicy, succulent bite. Use the flowers late so they stay vivid and snappy, and treat the leaves like tender greens with a mild, green heat.

Best Uses

toss into fresh salads as a bright, peppery top note
quick-pickle the buds/petals for tangy, crunchy garnish
tear leaves and scatter over warm grain bowls for fresh heat
use as a high-impact edible garnish on tacos, soups, and roast veg

Flavor Profile

peppery snap slightly citrusy lift tender, juicy petals succulent, mild-leaf chew

Kitchen Pairings

lemon goat cheese butter vinegar honey

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Tropaeolum majus (Empress of India), and how do I treat it?

Tropaeolum majus commonly suffers from aphids, which cluster on tender shoots and buds and can leave sticky residue. Rinse plants with a strong jet of water, then spray insecticidal soap (especially under leaves) and repeat every 5–7 days until no new aphids appear. If you see gray-brown leaf spots or powdery growth, remove affected leaves and improve airflow by spacing plants wider to reduce humidity around foliage.

How often should I water Empress of India during its main growing phase?

During active flowering, water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, aiming for evenly moist soil rather than soggy ground. In full sun, this usually means about 1–2 times per week depending on your heat and soil drainage. Avoid wetting leaves late in the day to reduce leaf-spot problems.

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

Empress of India is ready about 45 days after sowing, and you’ll know it’s harvest time when plants are producing plenty of open, vibrant blooms. For best flavor and texture, harvest individual flowers and tender leaves in the morning when they’re fully turgid, before midday heat wilts them. Continue harvesting frequently to encourage ongoing blooming.