Peach Melba

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

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

Sun-warmed, peachy-orange blossoms with a creamy blush at the throat unfurl in a profusion that feels almost perfumed—delicate, peppery-sweet notes with a bright, tangy snap.

“Peach Melba” nasturtium forms tender, succulent leaves and crisp, jewel-like flowers that hold their color beautifully in the garden, offering a vivid accent from early summer through the 50-day peak. Grow it for its show-stopping blooms and their lively, distinctive flavor in fresh garnishes, salads, and vibrant pickling-style preparations.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Spreading

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Peach Melba 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	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

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)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These Tropaeolum blossoms hit like a mild, sweet-pepper garnish with a tangy snap—best used fresh so the color and texture don’t fall apart. The peppery-sweet profile loves creamy dairy and bright citrus, so you’ll get the cleanest contrast by dressing with lemon and a soft cheese rather than heavy sauces.

Best Uses

fresh garnish over roast chicken or grilled fish
leaf-and-flower salad where the bite stays snappy
quick-pickling-style uses (vinegar brine) to keep the jewel color
stirring into a buttery herb dressing right before serving

Flavor Profile

peppery-sweet blossom heat bright tangy snap tender, succulent leaf chew creamy blush throat note with floral perfume

Kitchen Pairings

lemon burrata goat cheese olive oil champagne vinegar prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Tropaeolum majus (Peach Melba), and how can I control it?

A common issue for Tropaeolum majus is aphids clustering on tender new growth, especially in warm weather. Rinse plants with a firm stream of water, then spray insecticidal soap (or a neem-based insecticide) in the early morning and repeat every 5–7 days if aphids persist. Watch for sooty growth and leaf distortion, and remove heavily infested tips to reduce reinfestation.

How often should I water Tropaeolum majus during active growth?

Keep the soil evenly moist during germination and early establishment, but avoid standing water—Tropaeolum majus prefers well-drained soil. After plants are established, water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, typically about once or twice per week depending on heat and wind. Water at the soil line rather than overhead to reduce leaf wetness and disease risk.

How do I know when Peach Melba (Tropaeolum majus) is ready to harvest?

For seed harvest (about ~50 days), pick when pods turn brown and feel dry, then snip and let them finish drying indoors. If you’re harvesting flowers, begin picking when blooms are fully open and vibrant—harvest frequently to encourage more flowering through the season. Avoid harvesting everything at once; stagger picks every few days so the plant keeps producing.