Phoenix

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

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A riot of warm, sunlit color—Phoenix nasturtium blooms with velvety, painterly petals that glow like ember-orange over lush, trailing foliage.

The leaves and blossoms offer a peppery, lively bite with a crisp, tender snap, perfect for bright garnishes and vibrant flavor-forward salads, while the seeds mature for bold, tangy pickling. Grow Phoenix for a fast, showy 50-day burst of edible beauty that spills gracefully from containers or garden edges.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Vine

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Phoenix 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	Vine
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Phoenix nasturtium blooms are built for eating immediately—velvety petals with a peppery snap that survives a quick toss but hates long soaking. It’s the kind of garnish that wakes up a salad or turns a simple cheese plate into something lively, and the seed crop is your shortcut to tangy “caper” energy.

Best Uses

petal-forward salad topper where you want a clean peppery crunch
garnish that performs on hot plates—finish after heat for maximum snap
quick pickling of mature seeds for sharp, caper-like pop
leaf-and-blossom tosses with vinaigrettes that can cut the pepper edge

Flavor Profile

peppery bite crisp tender snap slightly floral brightness tangy potential from pickled seeds

Kitchen Pairings

lemon capers white vinegar olive oil grilled chicken soft fresh cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problems commonly affect Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium), and how can I control them?

Watch for aphids and caterpillars, which cluster on tender new growth; rinse aphids off with a strong jet of water and remove heavily infested shoots. If you see powdery white coating, treat early with a baking-soda spray (1 tablespoon baking soda per gallon of water) applied to affected leaves in the morning, and improve airflow by spacing plants and avoiding overhead watering.

How often should I water Tropaeolum majus during the main growing phase to keep it flowering?

During active growth, water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, then water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—too-wet conditions reduce flowering and invite leaf disease; in full sun heat, this often means watering about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil.

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

Harvest seed pods and leaves once plants are well established and still before pods fully harden—at roughly 45–55 days from sowing, pods should be green and plump with seeds inside. For edible flowers, pick blooms as soon as petals open and continue harvesting regularly to encourage more flowering until cool weather slows growth.