Phoenix

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

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

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	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.