PlantFiles: Tropaeolum
Tropaeolum brachyceras

Lovely climber with bright yellow flowers, produces a tuber. Blooms from early to late spring.


Requires well-drained slightly humid soil, neutral pH, high luminosity and full sun. Also requires support to climb. Normally they will bloom the second year if grown from seeds (mine bloomed the first year!), although from the third year on they will have the most amazing flower-show..

Sowing recommendations: propagate from seeds in autumn in a mix of: 1 portion compost, ½ portion regular garden soil and 1/3 sand. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of sharp river sand. They will germinate late winter and should not be transplanted before one year, after they have lost their foliage and have formed a tuber.

Since the tubers bury themselves very deep into the soil in nature, if you want to grow them you must use sowing pots with a depth of at least 7" (18cm). Sow no more than 3 seeds per pot and do not transplant them before the tubers have developed to an adecuate size after one year. Soil must be kept humid, not wet.

These Tropaeolums require some cold to germinate. Therefore, if your climate is warmer than a zone 9b, they will require some cold treatment. Proceed as described before, then cover with a plastic bag and seal it. Place it in the less cold part of the refrigerator (usually the vegetables compartment) for two weeks. Check them permanently and if they germinate before this period is over, take them outdoors. If the have not germinated after 2 weeks, take them outdoors for 2 weeks (without the plastic cover) and then repeat the refrigerator procedure.

As with so many other Chilean Native plants, good drainage is essential. If the tubers are planted in soggy soil they will rot.

Once the blooming period is over, foliage will die back. At this time start watering them only a bit once a week if it does not rain in your area.