Tip Top Mahogany

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

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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

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Tip Top Mahogany 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	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.