Tip Top Mahogany

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Velvety, mahogany-red blossoms open like small velvet banners, each petal edged with a luminous, warm glow that draws the eye before you even taste.

Tip Top Mahogany’s flowers are richly aromatic with a peppery snap and a tender, juicy bite, while the foliage stays crisp and succulent through the season. Grow it for a showy edible-flower harvest—ideal for adding bold color to fresh salads, garnishes, and vibrant pickling brines, and for stirring into herb-forward sauces for a deep, spicy flourish.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Spreading

Botanical illustration of Tip Top Mahogany

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	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Tip Top Mahogany’s velvety petals deliver a real peppery bite with juicy snap, so you want it near the end—before heat dulls the bloom. It’s the kind of edible flower that behaves like a seasoning: good alone on a salad, but even better when lemony and garlicky flavors let the pepper register cleanly.

Best Uses

toss into fresh salads where the petals stay crisp under light dressing
use as a garnish on tacos, roast chicken, or grilled fish for instant peppery lift
pickling brines and quick-vinegar infusions to keep the bloom’s color and zing
fold into herb sauces or chimichurri at the end for a spicy, perfumed finish

Flavor Profile

peppery snap with a gentle, floral bite juicy, tender petals velvety aroma that reads like nasturtium heat—bright, not smoky

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic goat cheese fresh mozzarella olive oil white vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage aphids and leaf spot on Tropaeolum majus (Tip Top Mahogany)?

Check plants 2–3 times per week for soft-bodied aphids clustered on new growth and buds; spray with insecticidal soap, focusing on the undersides, and repeat every 5–7 days until you see no new clusters. For leaf spot, remove and discard the worst affected leaves, avoid wetting foliage when watering, and improve airflow by spacing plants; if spots keep spreading, use a labeled copper-based fungicide according to package directions.

How often should I water Tropaeolum majus during the main growing phase (after sprouting)?

Water to keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, adjusted for heat and wind. Aim to water at the base and let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, because Tropaeolum majus will struggle with persistent wet feet.

How can I tell when Tip Top Mahogany is ready to harvest (50 days)?

Harvest when the flowers are fully open and vividly colored—around 50 days from sowing for this crop—with leaves and stems looking fresh and firm. For best quality, harvest early in the day; if you’re growing for continued blooms, deadhead spent flowers promptly to keep new buds forming.