Also called love-in-a-mist, nigella is an annual flower with delicate, airy foliage that frames its multilayered, soft blue blossoms. After the petals drop, the plant still looks attractive thanks to its long-lasting seed pods, which resemble tiny fairy lanterns. This easy-to-grow flower is native to southern Europe. It works especially well in a cottage garden design, where it can be allowed to reseed itself and help fill open spots in the garden.
Nigella Overview
Where to Plant Nigella
Choose a location in full sun with well-drained soil that is slightly acidic.
You can mix nigella with other annuals in an informal cottage garden design or add it to a cut flower garden with other flowers intended for drying, such as strawflowers, bachelor buttons, bells of Ireland, and globe amaranth. The plant can also be used for edging or in mass plantings. Individual plants shine as fillers in window boxes or containers.
How and When to Plant Nigella
Because of its long taproot, nigella does not transplant well and is easiest to grow by seeding directly into the garden. Sow the seeds into finely textured soil in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. You can also sow the seeds in the fall for a spring bloom in mild climates. Sow seeds 2 to 3 inches apart and cover thinly, as light is required for germination. For an informal cottage garden planting, broadcast seeds in a garden bed.
Germination takes 10 to 14 days at a temperature between 60 and 65 degrees. Thin young seedlings to 4 to 5 inches apart before they get too crowded.
Nigella Care Tips
Love-in-a-mist is very easy to grow. Water Nigella during dry spells, fertilize it regularly, and deadhead faded blooms. Because their flowers die off quickly, enjoy them for the brief time they're in your garden. Although the bloom period of nigella lasts only a few weeks, successive plantings every three weeks can ensure continuous bloom throughout the summer. Allow some plants to form seed pods and cut and dry those for crafts or dried arrangements.
Light
Nigella needs full sun to thrive, at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily.
Soil and Water
Nigella does not have specific soil requirements and does fine in average soil with good drainage. The ideal pH is between 6.0 to 7.0. The plant tolerates dry conditions but does best with about 1 inch of water weekly; water accordingly in the absence of rain.
Temperature and Humidity
Because nigella is an annual, it grows in Zones 2 to 11 and performs well in almost any climate, but it thrives in temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees F. The plant tolerates frost but won’t survive harsh winters. It languishes in extremely hot summer weather.
Fertilizer
Fertilization is usually unnecessary if you have planted nigella in soil amended with organic matter. If the soil is poor, add a complete balanced slow-release fertilizer, according to product label directions, about once a month to give the plants a quick nutrient boost.
Pruning
Pruning is not required, unless you do not appreciate the self-seeding nature of the plant; in that case, deadhead the flowers as soon as the petals fall so they won’t form seeds.
Potting and Repotting Nigella
You can grow nigella in containers deep enough to accommodate the plant's taproot and have ample drainage holes. A one-gallon container usually works well. Remember that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in garden soil. As nigella is grown as an annual and discarded at the end of the growing season, repotting is usually not required.
Pests and Problems
Nigella is rarely affected by serious pests or diseases. You might find whiteflies, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects on the plants, which can be washed away with a garden hose. Control heavy infestations with insecticidal soap. Overwatering and poor drainage may cause root rot.
How to Propagate Nigella
Nigella is best propagated from seed, and it easily reseeds. If you don't want the seedlings in that location, they are easy to pull but won't transplant well. Plant the seeds directly in the desired location in your garden, following the instructions under How and When to Plant Nigella above.
You can save the seeds of your plants unless you are growing a nigella cultivar whose seeds won't produce plants true to type.
Types of Nigella
'Mulberry Rose' Nigella
'Mulberry Rose' is a cultivar with flowers that open pink and fade to rich rose on 18-inch tall plants.
'Cambridge Blue' Nigella
This cultivar has double deep blue flowers on 10-inch tall plants.
'Persian Violet' Nigella
'Persian Violet' is an heirloom variety with flowers that start as white with sky-blue edges and turn into deep purple as they mature.
Nigella Companion Plants
Evolvulus
If you love morning glories, try this low-growing cousin with gorgeous sky-blue flowers. It is more earthbound and produces striking blue flowers all season long. In Zones 8-11, this tropical plant is a perennial; farther north, it's grown as an annual. Its spreading habit is perfect for spilling over baskets, window boxes, and other containers. Evolvulus does best in rich, well-drained soil and has average watering needs.
Pentas
Pentas is a butterfly magnet that blooms all summer long, even during the hottest weather. Its large clusters of starry blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds by the dozens. The plant excels in containers and in the ground—it can even make a good houseplant if you have enough light. It thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Pentas is grown as an annual in most parts of the country, but it's hardy in Zones 10-11.
Pansy
From tiny, cheerful Johnny jump-ups to the stunning 3-inch blooms of 'Majestic Giant', pansies offer a spectacular array of delightful plants for the spring garden. They don't mind cold weather and can even take a little snow and ice. Pansies are pretty when planted in masses in garden soil but are also beloved in pots and containers. By summer, pansies bloom less, and their foliage starts to brown. At this time, you'll have to be tough, tear them out, and replant with warm-season annuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can nigella flowers be dried?Nigella seed pods can be dried for use in arrangements. Cut the seed pods shortly after the petals drop and before the pods mature and split. Gather stems into loose bundles and hang them upside down out of direct sun to dry.
Nigella seed pods can be dried for use in arrangements. Cut the seed pods shortly after the petals drop and before the pods mature and split. Gather stems into loose bundles and hang them upside down out of direct sun to dry.
- What is the difference between Nigella damascena and Nigella sativa?Nigella damascena and Nigella sativa are both annual flowering plants in the genus Nigella. The seeds of Nigella sativa are intensely flavored and used as a spice known as black cumin, black caraway, or Kalonji.
Nigella damascena and Nigella sativa are both annual flowering plants in the genus Nigella. The seeds of Nigella sativa are intensely flavored and used as a spice known as black cumin, black caraway, or Kalonji.