Empress of India

The Empress of India (Tropaeolum majus) is a hardy, herbaceous, annual flowering plant. It is native to South America, particularly Peru and Bolivia. It is a member of the Tropaeolaceae family. The Empress of India makes an attractive groundcover or trailing plant, and is best grown in shaded areas. Despite its tropical origins, it is generally very tolerant of cooler temperatures and can be grown in USDA zones 7 and higher. It can be grown as an ornamental plant in containers indoors or outdoors.

Water your Empress of India plant regularly, making sure the soil is always slightly moist. The plant prefers consistently moist soil but it should never stand in water and be sure to allow it to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can cause the foliage to yellow and the tips to curl.