How to Plant and Grow Nigella

Also called love-in-a-mist, nigella is an annual flower with fine, airy foliage that frames its multilayered, soft blue flowers. After the petals drop, the plant still looks attractive, thanks to its long-lasting seed pods that 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.

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. In mild climates, you can also sow the seeds in the fall for a spring bloom. 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.

At a temperature between 60 to 65 degrees F, germination takes 10 to 14 days. Thin young seedlings to 4 to 5 inches apart before they get too crowded.

The bloom period of nigella lasts only a few weeks but with successive plantings every 3 weeks you can have nigella flowers continuously throughout the summer.

Nigella Care Tips

Love-in-a-mist is very easy to grow. 

Light

Nigella needs full sun to thrive.

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

If you have planted nigella in soil that was amended with organic matter, fertilization is usually not necessary. 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 that are deep enough to accommodate the taproot of the plant and have large drainage holes. A one-gallon container usually works well. Keep in mind 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 trasplant 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 out 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, which has 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, with large clusters of starry blooms that attract butterflies by the dozens as well as hummingbirds. 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. It's at this time you'll have to be tough, tear them out, and replant with warm-season annuals.