- Botanical name: Tropaeolum majus 'Empress Of India'
- Common name: Nasturtium
- Family: Tropaeolaceae
- Plant Type: Annual
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Attractive to wildlife
Nasturtiums are easy to grow, vigorous annuals with large disc-shaped leaves that smell like capers and bright flowers from mid-summer onwards. They’re a magnet for bees and can be used to lure small and large white butterflies away from brassica crops. Tropaeolum majus ‘Empress of India’ is a non-trailing nasturtium, bearing deep red, semi-double flowers in contrast with purple-green leaves.
The flowers and leaves can be eaten in salads and the immature seeds pickled and used like capers. Discover recipes that make use of nasturtiums from our friends at olive magazine:
Pressed tomatoes with goat’s cheese and lovage oil
Elderflower-cured mackerel with tomato consommé
Dan’s green sauce with steak
Brine-pickled vegetables with salted yoghurt
Grow Tropaeolum majus ‘Empress of India’ in well-drained soil in full sun. Sow seed direct from mid-spring.Â
How to grow Tropaeolum 'Empress of India'
-
Plant size
30cm height
45cm spread
-
Aspect
East facing, south facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Tropaeolum 'Empress of India' and wildlife
Tropaeolum 'Empress Of India' is known for attracting bees. It nectar-pollen-rich-flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Tropaeolum 'Empress of India' poisonous?
Tropaeolum 'Empress Of India' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Tropaeolum 'Empress of India'
