Ladybird Nasturtium

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Velvety, jewel-bright blooms arrive in about 50 days, painting the garden with warm scarlet and creamy golden “ladybird” splashes that look almost too vivid to be real.

The petals are tender and pleasantly peppery, with a crisp, succulent bite that shines in fresh arrangements and makes a striking garnish for salads, platters, and springtime color bowls. Let Ladybird Nasturtium sprawl—its flowers and foliage offer a lively, edible-flower harvest all season long.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Ladybird Nasturtium

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	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
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

Ladybird nasturtium blooms hit with a crisp, peppery bite and a velvety petal texture that reads as ‘fresh’ even when the rest of the plate is rich. Use them at the end—heat or heavy dressings can bruise the petals and dull that clean, spicy snap.

Best Uses

scatter over bitter greens for a peppery snap
chop into a quick herb-y salad topper with lemony dressing
float 3–5 petals on yogurt or crème fraîche for color + bite
garnish spring vegetable platters and keep them crisp (don’t drown in hot sauces)

Flavor Profile

tender, jewel-bright petals pleasant peppery zing crisp, succulent bite slightly floral, mild bitterness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil capers goat cheese radicchio cucumber

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly hit Tropaeolum majus (ladybird nasturtium), and how can I fix them?

Aphids and whiteflies frequently cluster on nasturtium foliage and tender stems; spray a steady stream of water first, then use insecticidal soap if colonies persist. Watch for powdery mildew (white, dusty patches) in humid or crowded plantings—improve airflow by spacing plants and water at the soil line, not over the leaves.

How often should I water Tropaeolum majus during its main growth, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

Water when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil feels dry, aiming for evenly moist soil but never soggy conditions. During warm, active growth, this is often about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and weather; reduce watering once plants begin flowering heavily to avoid lush foliage at the expense of blooms.

How do I know when Tropaeolum majus is ready to harvest (and what can I harvest at ~50 days)?

You can start harvesting leaves and flowers as soon as plants form buds and bloom; keep picking to encourage more flowering. Seed pods mature after flowering—harvest when they turn green-to-bright and swell but before they harden, which is typically around the 50-day mark from sowing for many home gardens.