Whirlybird Mix

Family: Tropaeolaceae Flower / Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Whirlybird Mix to a garden.

A whirl of color in the garden—Whirlybird Mix bursts with vivid, warm blooms that open like little pinwheels and carry a peppery, bright bite.

The tender leaves are crisp and pleasantly pungent, while the flower petals add a lively, tangy accent that shines in fresh salads and garnishes. Grow it for a quick, 40-day show: a pollinator-friendly cover that keeps flowering as it sprawls, perfect for adding instant color and flavor to beds, borders, and containers.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Spreading

Botanical illustration of Whirlybird Mix

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Whirlybird Mix 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 11th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 4th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jun 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jun 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	May 30th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 20th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 11th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 2nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 21st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Whirlybird nasturtium is pure attitude on a plate—peppery leaves and tangy pinwheel petals that wake up raw, creamy, or fatty foods fast. Use it at the end so the heat stays clean and the leaves keep their crisp snap.

Best Uses

tossed fresh in green salads where the leaves stay snappy
peppery leaf confetti on avocado toast or grain bowls
flower-petal garnish for tacos, grilled fish, or roasted vegetables
vinegar-quick pickles or quick salt brines to keep the bite lively

Flavor Profile

peppery, bright bite crisp, juicy tender leaves tangy, slightly citrusy petals fresh, pungent aroma

Kitchen Pairings

lime crème fraîche goat cheese cucumber black pepper olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium), and how can I treat it?

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) commonly suffer from aphids, which cluster on tender shoots and can leave plants sticky with honeydew. Rinse aphids off with a strong jet of water, then spray insecticidal soap (follow label directions) if they return. Also watch for leaf spot in humid weather—remove badly spotted leaves early and keep airflow between plants.

How often should I water Tropaeolum majus during the main growing phase?

Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, aiming for consistently lightly moist soil rather than wet conditions. During active flowering, this typically means watering about 2–3 times per week in warm weather, but less often if it rains or soil stays cool. Avoid keeping the soil waterlogged, which increases the risk of root problems and leaf spotting.

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

Harvest seed pods and flowers based on maturity: flowers are best when fully open and fragrant, usually starting around 40 days from sowing. For seed, pick pods when they turn green-to-brown and feel firm, before they fully dry and drop. For continuous blooms, harvest flowers regularly and remove spent blossoms to encourage more flowering.