Nigella Growing Guide

Nigella sativa

Nigella

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil.

Position

Full sun to partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

Moderate. In mild winter areas or sheltered sites, seedlings that sprout in autumn may survive to spring. Seedlings that sprout in early spring easily survive light frosts.

Feeding

Mulch the soil with compost prior to planting.

Companions

You can use the light texture and soft colours of nigella to break up clashes between cornflowers and calendula, which can be grown on a similar schedule.

Spacing

Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 30cm (11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow seeds in prepared beds and gently press them into the surface. Keep moist until the seeds germinate. Because of their lacy foliage, nigella seedlings are easy to recognize among weeds. Nigella usually grows better from direct-sown seeds than from transplanted seedlings.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Because nigella blooms for only a few weeks, it is best to sow seeds two or three times from late spring to early summer. Flower colours include white, blue, pink and purple.

Harvesting

Many gardeners like to gather the decorative dried seed pots for use in dry arrangements. When the pods begin to brown, clip them off and hang them in small bunches to dry.

Troubleshooting

Nigella plants may decline rapidly in very hot weather. This flower self-sows in most gardens.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Nigella