All about growing Nigella from seed

Growing Guide

Nigella, also known as Love-in-a-mist, is a wonderful cottage garden plant and a great filler. The airy foliage makes a nice complement to broader-leaved plants.

Sow seed outdoors where they are to flower between March and May or September and October. Nigella do not transplant very well and so we do not recommend sowing indoors and plating out, or sowing them in modules.

Prepare the ground by raking until it is fine and crumbly, removing any large stones. Sow 5mm deep, either in rows 30cm apart, or by broadcasting the seed into the desired growing area and raking it over. When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 15cm apart.

  • Key Information

    Height: to 60cm

    Spread: to 35cm

    Hardy annual

    Sun or semi-shade

    Germination: 14 - 21 days

  • Sowing & Growing Schedule

    Sow Indoors: n/a

    Sow Outdoors: March to May, or September to October

    Plant Out: n/a

    Blooms: June to September

  • Varieties we recommend

    Persian Jewels
Explore the store

Top Tip

Nigella is a short-lived plant and probably won't make it through an entire growing season. For continuous blooms throughout the summer, make succession plantings every three weeks. Once your plants have begun to scatter seeds on their own, you won't need to continue sowing.

Culinary note: The seeds of Nigella have a strong aroma and spicy taste, they can be used as a condiment or spice to flavour cakes, breads and curries.

Nigella is fast growing so dead heading encourages new flowers. For dried arrangements, cut seed heads before they burst open.

Return to Growing GuidesManage your garden with the Sow & Grow App