Tip Top Apricot

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant, sunset-bright blooms and peppery leaves arrive in a lush, trailing cascade—Tip Top Apricot paints gardens with warm apricot-orange petals that glow against deep green foliage.

The flavor is lively and tangy with a gentle, apricot-kissed sweetness, while the tender leaves and blossoms offer a crisp, succulent bite. Grow Tip Top Apricot for fresh garnishes, vibrant salads, and eye-catching color in pickles and bright sauces—its blossoms are especially prized for their vivid, velvety charm.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Tip Top Apricot

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Tip Top Apricot 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	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Tip Top Apricot nasturtium tastes like peppery greens with a fruity, apricot-citrus shimmer—use it raw so the leaves stay crisp and the blooms stay plush. Its flavor plays best against creamy dairy and sharp acids, where that tangy sweetness doesn’t get swallowed.

Best Uses

snip blossoms over salty bread and tomato for instant color with a peppery snap
fold tender leaves into green salads to carry vinaigrette without going limp
quick-pickle buds and leaves for briny, bright garnish
infuse a honey-mustard or citrusy dressing with the pepper-apricot character

Flavor Profile

peppery, watercress-like bite tangy apricot-citrus lift crisp, succulent leaves and velvety blooms light sweetness on the finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey burrata goat cheese white wine vinegar salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Tropaeolum majus (Tip Top Apricot), and how do I treat it?

Tropaeolum majus commonly gets aphids and whitefly, which leave sticky honeydew and can stunt growth. Spray plants with a strong jet of water to knock pests off, then repeat every 2–3 days for a week; for heavier infestations, use insecticidal soap and cover leaf undersides. If you see powdery mildew (a gray-white dust on leaves), remove badly affected foliage and keep plants well-spaced with good airflow to reduce repeat outbreaks.

How often should I water Tip Top Apricot nasturtium during the main growing phase?

Water to keep soil evenly moist but not soggy once plants are established, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat. Aim for a light, consistent moisture level by watering when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, since Tropaeolum majus will struggle in waterlogged beds. Avoid frequent shallow watering that keeps the surface wet, which increases leaf disease risk.

How can I tell when Tip Top Apricot (Tropaeolum majus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest flowers and leaves starting around 50 days after sowing, when plants are actively blooming. Pick flowers when they are fully colored and open for best flavor, and harvest leaves by cutting young, tender growth rather than older, tougher leaves. Continue harvesting regularly to encourage more blooms through the growing period.