Jewel

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Velvety, sunlit flesh is the first allure of Jewel sweet potato—warm golden-yellow with a jewel-like glow that feels almost luminous against the soil.

At maturity, the roots develop a tender, creamy texture and a naturally sweet, mellow flavor that shines in roasted wedges, silky purées, and spoonable sauces. Grow Jewel for a dependable 95-day harvest that delivers standout color and a comforting, homegrown richness season after season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 23rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Jewel’s warm golden flesh gets custardy fast—roast it hard for browned edges, then let the interior go silky instead of stringy. That mellow sweetness plays especially well with butter, smoke, and tangy cheeses, so it never tastes cloying in purées or thick soups.

Best Uses

roasted wedges with crisp edges and a soft center
silky mash or purée (beat until glossy, no grainy drag)
spoonable soups and purée-thick sauces
baking or slow-cooking until it breaks down into custardy flesh

Flavor Profile

mellow natural sweetness creamy, velvety flesh gentle earthy warmth light caramel aroma when roasted

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter maple syrup cinnamon smoked paprika black pepper goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent and treat aphids and downy mildew on Tropaeolum majus (Jewel, nasturtium)?

Check plants weekly, especially under leaves and on new growth, for clusters of aphids; spray with insecticidal soap and remove heavily infested shoots. For downy mildew, which shows as yellowing patches on leaf tops with fuzzy growth underneath, improve airflow and water at soil level (not on leaves), then remove infected leaves promptly. If the problem persists, use a labeled fungicide for downy mildew and avoid overhead watering for the rest of the season.

How often should I water Jewel nasturtium during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for watering when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil feels dry. In full sun, this often means about 2–3 times per week, but less in cool or rainy weather. Avoid standing water, since waterlogged soil encourages root problems and reduces flowering.

When is Tropaeolum majus (Jewel) ready to harvest?

Harvest begins once the plant has produced mature flowers; pick blooms for best flavor when petals are fully colored and the flower is firm (typically around 95 days from sowing). For seed harvest, allow pods to dry on the plant until they turn green-brown and start to rattle, then collect them before they fall. Regularly harvesting flowers can continue production until the first hard frost.