Soil & potting mix

Best soil for Tropaeolum majus 'Jewel of Africa' (Tropaeolum majus 'Jewel of Africa')

Also called Jewel of Africa Nasturtium, Variegated Nasturtium.

More about tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa'

Tropaeolum majus 'Jewel of Africa' soil at a glance

Best mix	Light, free-draining, low-fertility soil
Light	Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)
Ideal temperature	13-27°C (55-81°F)
Watering	When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 4-7 days; containers more often in heat

About Tropaeolum majus 'Jewel of Africa'

Tropaeolum majus 'Jewel of Africa' · also called Jewel of Africa Nasturtium, Variegated Nasturtium · flowering

'Jewel of Africa' is a climbing, variegated nasturtium with cream-marbled foliage and a mix of yellow, red, cream and peach trumpet flowers. Vigorous and easy, this fast-growing annual scrambles up supports or trails from containers. Both flowers and peppery leaves are edible. It thrives on neglect and poor soil, flowering best when not over-fed or overwatered.

Preferred mix: Light, free-draining, low-fertility soil

Watch for — All leaves, few flowers: Caused by soil that is too rich or too much feed and water. Grow in lean soil, withhold fertiliser, and water moderately to trigger flowering.

Why tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' needs this mix

Tropaeolum majus 'Jewel of Africa' flowers hardest in a rich but free-draining loam — fed enough to fuel the display, open enough that the roots never waterlog.

Flowering is expensive for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa': producing buds, blooms and seed draws heavily on nutrients and steady moisture, so the soil has to keep delivering all season.
A loam-based mix holds nutrients and water far more evenly than a light peat mix, which means a longer, more reliable flowering period.
It still needs sharp drainage — most flowering plants resent cold, wet feet far more than they resent being a little lean.

For the full picture on what makes up a good mix, see our guide to the main types of soil and potting media — it explains why each ingredient above behaves the way it does.

What goes wrong with the wrong mix

The wrong soil is one of the most common reasons tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' struggles, and the damage often shows up weeks later as a watering problem. For this species specifically:

A thin, hungry or sandy mix gives tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' weak growth and few, short-lived flowers — it simply runs out of fuel.
A heavy, badly drained soil rots the roots or crown, often over a wet winter, and you lose the plant before it ever flowers again.
Over-rich, high-nitrogen mixes can push lush leaf at the expense of flowers — balance, not excess, is the aim.

Either starving tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' in a thin mix or drowning it in a heavy, badly drained one. It wants the rich-but-free-draining middle, plus a flowering (higher-potassium) feed in season.

pH — does it matter for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa'?

Most flowering plants, including tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa', do well around pH 6.0-7.0. A cheap soil test is worth it outdoors; one notable exception is any acid-lover (such as some hydrangeas), where pH directly changes flower colour.

If you want to check or adjust it, the soil pH guide walks through testing and the safe ways to nudge a mix more acidic or more alkaline.

DIY mix vs a bagged one

A quality bagged compost works for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' in pots if you add grit and a flowering feed. In beds, improving the existing soil with compost and ensuring drainage beats any bag.

Drainage and the pot

Free drainage protects the roots and especially the crown over winter — raised beds, grit in the planting hole and never a waterlogged spot. Containers must have a clear drainage hole.

For perennials, refresh the top layer and feed each spring rather than disturbing the roots; for container displays, start with fresh rich mix each season. When the time comes, our repotting guide for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' covers the timing and technique step by step.

Tropaeolum majus 'Jewel of Africa' soil — frequently asked questions

What is the best soil mix for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa'?

3 parts good loam or quality peat-free compost : 1 part well-rotted compost or leaf mould : 1 part grit or perlite. Flowering is expensive for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa': producing buds, blooms and seed draws heavily on nutrients and steady moisture, so the soil has to keep delivering all season.

Can I use normal potting soil for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa'?

A thin, hungry or sandy mix gives tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' weak growth and few, short-lived flowers — it simply runs out of fuel. A quality bagged compost works for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' in pots if you add grit and a flowering feed. In beds, improving the existing soil with compost and ensuring drainage beats any bag.

Does tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa' need a special pH?

Should I buy a bagged mix or make my own for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa'?

How often should I refresh the soil for tropaeolum majus 'jewel of africa'?

For perennials, refresh the top layer and feed each spring rather than disturbing the roots; for container displays, start with fresh rich mix each season. Free drainage protects the roots and especially the crown over winter — raised beds, grit in the planting hole and never a waterlogged spot. Containers must have a clear drainage hole.