Heirloom

Jewel Mix

Tropaeolum minus

Photo: Ivan Trush · Wikimedia Commons · (Public domain)

These bright, 2" blooms of red, pink, orange, and yellow are held above light green foliage. Mounded plant habit. Also known as garden nasturtium and Indian cress. Edible Flower: Use the flowers as garnishes, or stuff with soft cheese. The flowers can be minced and added to butters and the immature seed heads can be pickled. Nasturtiums are a popular choice for adding color to salad mix. Peppery-flavored foliage is also edible.

Harvest

55-65d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-10 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Jewel Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Jewel Mix · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor soil conditions

WaterModerate, drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorPeppery, slightly spicy flavor reminiscent of watercress and radishes, with edible flowers and foliage

ColorRed, pink, orange, and yellow

Size2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Direct sow every 3 weeks from April through mid-June in zone 7 for continuous bloom. Nasturtiums slow down hard once daytime highs are consistently above 90°F — plants survive but flower production drops and foliage looks worn out. A final sowing in late August can carry you to first frost, since Jewel Mix tolerates light dips into the low 40s°F without shutting down.

Don't start these indoors more than 2–3 weeks before your last frost date. They germinate in 7–12 days and transplant poorly once the taproot sets — direct sowing is almost always the better call, and the seeds are big enough that even a first-timer can place them precisely.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Jewel Mix reaches harvest at 55 - 65 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Edibility: The leaves, flowers and buds, pods, and seeds are edible.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh nasturtium flowers are best stored in the refrigerator in a container lined with damp paper towels, where they'll keep for 3-5 days at 35-40°F with moderate humidity. For longer preservation, consider pickling the immature seed pods in vinegar brine (a traditional method), freezing flowers in ice cubes for later garnish use, or air-drying the foliage for tea. Edible flowers are delicate and should be handled gently to avoid bruising.

History & Origin

Jewel Mix is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Southern America and Mexico Southeast

Advantages

+Bright 2-inch blooms in multiple colors provide vibrant garden display
+Fully edible flowers and peppery foliage offer culinary versatility
+Quick 55-65 day maturity makes it ideal for season extension
+Mounded habit requires minimal pruning or staking for support
+Easy growing difficulty suitable for beginner and experienced gardeners

Considerations

-Susceptible to aphids and spider mites requiring regular pest monitoring
-Prefers cooler temperatures and may struggle in hot summers
-Heavy nitrogen fertilizer promotes foliage over flower production

Companion Plants

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) and chives both pull their weight near nasturtiums — marigolds deter whiteflies through root exudates, and chives' sulfur compounds disorient aphids at close range, which matters because Jewel Mix already attracts Aphis nasturtii like standing water attracts mosquitoes. Sweet alyssum draws parasitic wasps that prey on those same pests, so the two plants cover different layers of pest pressure. Fennel is the one to site elsewhere — it's genuinely allelopathic to a wide range of annuals and will stunt neighbors within 18 inches. Black walnut produces juglone, a soil toxin that's hard on most shallow-rooted annuals, and nasturtiums don't get a pass on that.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial predatory insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Basil

Repels thrips, flies, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary colors without competition

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and doesn't compete for resources

Zinnia

Attract butterflies and beneficial insects while providing structural diversity

Chives

Repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects with their strong scent

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can cause wilting

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of nearby plants

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic oils that inhibit germination and growth of other plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew, leaf spot

Troubleshooting Jewel Mix

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves coated in white powdery film, usually starting on older foliage mid-summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — common in humid conditions with poor airflow
Crowded spacing below 12 inches that traps moisture around the canopy

What to Do

1.Cut out the worst-affected stems and bin them — don't compost them
2.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) every 7 days
3.Next sowing, keep plants at 12–18 inches apart and don't overhead-water in the evening

Clusters of soft green or black insects on new growth and flower buds, sometimes with sticky residue on lower leaves

Likely Causes

Aphid infestation (Aphis nasturtii or black bean aphid) — nasturtiums pull aphids heavily, which makes them useful as a trap crop but requires monitoring when you're growing them for harvest
Ant colonies actively farming aphids and driving off predatory insects like ladybugs

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm stream of water from a hose — do this in the morning so foliage dries by afternoon
2.If pressure is heavy, spray with insecticidal soap every 5–7 days until populations drop
3.Check for ant trails at the base of the plant; disrupting the ants often lets naturally occurring predators finish the job

Tiny yellow stippling across leaves, with fine webbing on the undersides, worst during dry stretches

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — thrives when temperatures exceed 85°F and humidity drops
Dusty, dry conditions with no overhead moisture to knock mites back naturally

What to Do

1.Mist the undersides of leaves with water daily for a week — spider mites hate sustained moisture
2.Apply neem oil (2 tablespoons per gallon with a few drops of dish soap) every 7 days for 2–3 applications
3.Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that also kill predatory mites, which are your natural check on the population

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do nasturtium flowers last after harvesting?▼

Fresh nasturtium flowers typically last 3-5 days when stored in the refrigerator in a container with damp paper towels. For best visual presentation and peppery flavor, use them as soon as possible after harvesting. Pickled seed pods can last several months when properly preserved in vinegar brine.

Are nasturtiums good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, nasturtiums are excellent for beginners. They're classified as 'Easy' difficulty, require minimal care, and produce vibrant flowers within 55-65 days. They thrive in full sun with basic watering and are known for their reliability and quick rewards.

Can you grow Jewel Mix nasturtiums in containers?▼

Yes, nasturtiums grow well in containers. Their mounded plant habit makes them suitable for pots and hanging baskets. Ensure containers have drainage holes and provide full sun (6+ hours daily). Container-grown plants may need slightly more frequent watering than in-ground plantings.

What does nasturtium taste like and how do you use it?▼

Nasturtiums have a distinctive peppery flavor reminiscent of watercress or radishes. Use the bright flowers as colorful salad garnishes, stuff them with soft cheese for appetizers, or mince them into butters. The immature seed pods can be pickled as a caper substitute, and the peppery foliage is also edible.

When should I plant Jewel Mix nasturtiums?▼

Direct sow nasturtium seeds after the last frost date in spring. They prefer warm soil and air temperatures. In warmer climates, they can be planted throughout the growing season. With a 55-65 day harvest time, spring planting ensures flowers throughout summer.

Why are my nasturtiums not blooming much?▼

Nasturtiums need full sun (6+ hours daily) to produce abundant flowers. Insufficient light is the most common cause of poor blooming. Ensure they're planted in a sunny location and not shaded by taller plants. Overly rich soil can also encourage foliage over flowers.