Love-in-a-mist.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

1 to 2 feet tall

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 2 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost, as they dislike transplanting. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, but allow some to go to seed if you want it to self-sow for next year. Watch for aphids, though they are usually not a major problem.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering.

Feeding

Fertilize sparingly once in spring with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming.

Repotting

As an annual, it is not typically repotted; sow seeds directly.

Soil

Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0)

Temperature

10 to 27°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Annual

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Sécurité

People

Ingestion of seeds in large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Pets

May cause mild stomach upset if ingested.

Children

Seeds are small and could be a choking hazard for young children.

Contact allergens

No significant contact allergens are noted.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

Seeds are edible when cooked, but raw seeds can cause digestive upset.

Comment l'identifier

• Finely dissected, feathery leaves
• Star-shaped blue flowers
• Surrounded by bracts
• Inflated, papery seed pods
• Annual wildflower

Height

0.3 to 0.6m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

Green, evergreen

Flowers

Blue, White, Pink, Purple, 2.5 to 5cm

Problèmes courants

• Aphids — Small, pear-shaped insects that feed on plant sap, often found on new growth and flower buds.
• Powdery Mildew — A fungal disease that appears as white, powdery spots on leaves and stems, favored by humid conditions.
• Root Rot — Caused by overwatering and poor drainage, leading to yellowing leaves and eventual plant death.

La cultiver

Propagation

Seed

When to plant

Spring

Overwintering

As an annual, Nigella damascena does not overwinter. It completes its life cycle in one growing season. Seeds sown in fall in milder climates will germinate in spring.

In containers

While it can be grown in containers, it prefers to be sown directly into the ground due to its dislike of transplanting.

Plant Nigella damascena directly into the garden where it will grow, as it dislikes being moved.

Bonnes associations

• Poppies — Poppies share similar growing conditions and bloom at a similar time, creating a beautiful color contrast.
• Cornflowers — Cornflowers complement the delicate appearance of Nigella damascena and thrive in similar sunny, well-drained spots.
• Marigolds — Marigolds can help deter some common garden pests, and their bright colors look lovely alongside Nigella.

À éloigner de

• Overwatering — This plant dislikes consistently wet feet and is prone to root rot if overwatered.
• Transplanting — Nigella damascena develops a taproot and does not transplant well once it has established.

Espèces similaires

• Nigella sativa — This species is closely related and also has ornamental value, though it is primarily known as the 'black cumin' spice.
• Nigella arvensis — A smaller, wild relative that also features delicate blue flowers and feathery foliage.

Science

Family

Ranunculaceae

Genus

Nigella

Order

Ranunculales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Mediterranean region

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil and can naturalize in meadows and disturbed areas.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, pollen source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

Ornamental, Cut flower, Dried arrangements, Culinary (seeds)

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How tall does Nigella damascena get?

It typically grows to be about 1 to 2 feet tall.

Does Nigella damascena reseed itself?

Yes, it readily self-seeds, which is how it often naturalizes in gardens.

What kind of soil does it prefer?

It prefers well-drained soil and doesn't like to be transplanted once established.

When should I plant Nigella damascena seeds?

Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring or in the fall in milder climates.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name 'Nigella' comes from the Latin word 'niger', meaning black, referring to the dark color of its seeds. The specific epithet 'damascena' refers to Damascus, a city in Syria, suggesting its origin or early cultivation there.

Bon à savoir

• Also known as 'Love-in-a-Mist' due to its delicate, feathery foliage.
• The common name 'Nigella' comes from the Latin word 'niger', meaning black, referring to its dark seeds.
• It has a long history of cultivation, dating back to ancient Egypt.
• The flowers can be white, pink, blue, or purple.