Empress of India Nasturtium Seed
Best edible ornamental for container gardeners seeking vibrant, long-lasting color.
Elevate your garden with the Empress of India Nasturtium Seed, an heirloom variety celebrated for its striking deep regal-red flowers and unique frosty blue-green foliage. This annual plant cascades beautifully, reaching up to 2 feet, making it ideal for containers, walls, or terraces. Enjoy its edible flowers, which offer a mild, spicy flavor perfect for culinary adventures. Thriving in full sun, it provides a long blooming season from July until the first frost, ensuring continuous color and charm. It's an easy-to-grow addition that brings both beauty and taste to your space.
$8.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 5876
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-16%
Below average
Botanical Name
Tropaeolum minus
/ Tropaeolum minus
Who it's for
- Homesteaders wanting edible blooms and pollinator-friendly gardens
- Gardeners seeking high-contrast, sophisticated floral displays
- Urban growers with limited patio or balcony space
Who should skip it
- Low-maintenance gardeners who prefer to avoid frequent deadheading
- Gardeners unwilling to manage or monitor aphid populations
- Shady-yard owners looking for low-light flowering plants
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Regal red blooms contrast beautifully against striking blue-green foliage.
Culinary Versatility
Edible flowers add a sophisticated, spicy kick to fresh garden salads.
Growth Habit
Cascading stems create a lush, dramatic effect for containers and walls.
Ease of Cultivation
Reliable heirloom seeds that thrive with minimal fuss for beginners.
Bloom Duration
Consistent color production from mid-summer straight through to first frost.
Container Adaptability
Compact stature makes these perfectly suited for small-space terrace gardening.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Tropaeolum minus
Life Cycle
Annual
Sunlight Requirement
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Plant Height
24.0 inches
Water Needs
Moderate
Flower Color
Red
Plant Type
Flower
Is Organic
false
Features
- Deep regal-red flowers
- Frosty blue-green foliage
- Edible, spicy flowers
- Cascading growth habit
- Container-friendly design
- Long blooming season
- Heirloom variety
- Easy to grow
What customers say
Gardeners praise the Empress of India seeds for their exceptional quality and reliable performance. High germination rates consistently result in vigorous, healthy plants. The variety's main draw is its striking aesthetic payoff: vibrant scarlet blooms and deep blue green foliage provide dramatic, dependable color. This plant offers significant visual impact and is easy to cultivate, making it a trusted choice for adding rich, reliable color to any garden space. Its dependable beauty and ease of growth make it a standout option for gardeners seeking impressive results.
Know before you buy
Yes, both the flowers and leaves are edible. They have a distinct, mild, spicy flavor that works well as a peppery garnish in salads or as a unique addition to culinary dishes.
Absolutely. These nasturtiums are container-friendly and have a cascading growth habit, making them an excellent choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, or elevated planters.
You can expect a long blooming season starting in July and continuing until the first frost of autumn, provided they receive adequate sunlight and moderate water.
While they thrive in full sun, they are adaptable and can also grow well in partial sun. Keep in mind that consistent light helps maintain their vibrant red color and blue-green foliage.
The Empress of India variety reaches a height of approximately 24 inches. Because of their cascading nature, they are perfect for trailing over the edges of walls or containers.
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$9