Milkmaid

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Milkmaid to a garden.

Fragrant, honeyed blossoms open in a riot of warm apricot-orange and buttery cream, each petal edged like a satin ribbon—an instant garden perfume.

Milkmaid nasturtium bears tender, succulent leaves with a gentle, peppery snap and a clean, milky sweetness that shines in fresh bouquets and vibrant garnishes. Grow it for a long season of nonstop color and a lush, trailing habit that drapes beautifully over containers, borders, and trellises.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Spreading

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Milkmaid 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	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Milkmaid nasturtium has that honeyed, creamy sweetness up front, then a mild pepper nip that keeps it from going cloying—so it behaves like an edible flower with real bite. Use the blossoms last and cold so their satin texture doesn’t collapse, and they’ll pop visually and on the tongue.

Best Uses

scatter blossoms over fresh salads and citrus-dressed greens
use petals as a high-contrast garnish on tacos, grilled fish, or fried chicken
tuck leaves into herb-forward salads where they’ll stay crisp
fold into soft cheeses or fresh ricotta for quick, fragrant topping

Flavor Profile

honeyed, apricot-orange perfume gentle peppery bite with a clean, milky sweetness tender, succulent petals with a satin snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey goat cheese ricotta grilled salmon champagne vinaigrette

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Tropaeolum majus (milkmaid/nasturtium), and how can I treat it?

Watch for aphids and caterpillars, which often cluster on the tender shoots and buds of Tropaeolum majus. Spray aphids off with a strong stream of water and use insecticidal soap for repeat outbreaks; for chewing caterpillars, hand-pick in the evening and treat with Bt if needed. In humid conditions, keep airflow good and remove any yellowing leaves early to reduce gray mold and leaf spot.

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

Water deeply only when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry, because Tropaeolum majus performs best with evenly moist but not waterlogged soil. During active flowering, aim for about 1 inch of water per week total (from rainfall plus irrigation), adjusting up or down based on heat and container vs. in-ground conditions. Avoid frequent light watering, which can keep foliage wet and invite leaf spot.

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

Harvest in about 50 days from sowing when the plants have formed sturdy stems and the flowers and leaves are fully developed and still tender. Pick flowers regularly once they open, since frequent harvesting encourages more blooms. If you’re harvesting seeds, wait until the seeds have turned mottled and firm on the plant, then dry them on the stem before storing.