Jewel Of Africa

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Jewel Of Africa to a garden.

A living jewel in the garden—Jewel Of Africa bursts with velvety, saturated blooms that glow like warm garnet against lush foliage, with a peppery, bright bite that livens every plate.

The flowers and tender leaves offer a crisp, succulent texture and a lively flavor profile prized for fresh garnishes and vibrant color in salads, as well as for quick pickling and decorative finishing. Fast to establish and quick to flower in about 50 days, this flowering vine turns summer into a nonstop cascade of edible blossoms.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Jewel Of Africa

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Jewel Of Africa 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	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
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

Nasturtium’s peppery zing and succulent crunch make these blossoms more than “pretty”—they behave like edible confetti with real bite. Use them at the last moment or in quick pickles so the texture stays snappy instead of wilting into syrupy greens.

Best Uses

scatter blossoms over salads right at the end so they stay crisp
quick-pickle buds and leaves for poppy briny crunch
tuck flowers onto charcuterie boards and mezze for a peppery garnish
stir leaves into warm grain bowls at the last second for a fresh, spicy lift

Flavor Profile

peppery, bright bite crisp, juicy texture slightly floral warmth tender leaves with a clean snap

Kitchen Pairings

citrus aged cheese vinegar cream chickpeas

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem for Tropaeolum majus (Jewel of Africa), and how can I prevent it?

Jewel of Africa commonly suffers from leaf spot and downy mildew in humid weather, often showing as dark spots or fuzzy growth on leaves. Water at the soil line (not overhead) and space plants so leaves dry quickly after rain; remove heavily spotted leaves early to slow spread. If it’s spreading, use a labeled fungicide suitable for ornamental bedding plants and repeat according to label timing.

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

After seedlings establish, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. In full sun, this usually means about 1–2 deep waterings per week depending on heat and container vs. bed conditions; reduce frequency if the soil stays damp. Avoid letting plants sit in water, since Tropaeolum majus is prone to root issues in overly wet soil.

How do I tell when Tropaeolum majus (Jewel of Africa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest starts when buds form and plants are actively flowering; for best flavor, pick flowers early in the morning before they wilt in heat. If you’re growing mainly for seeds, harvest seed pods once they turn papery and begin to dry on the plant—expect roughly 50 days from sowing to maturity. Remove spent flowers regularly to keep the plant producing new blooms.