Love-in-a-mist (Nigella) is a pretty and easy to grow half-hardy annual flower, native to the Mediterranean and North Africa. It grows quickly and easily from seed. Love-in-a-mist flowers are borne in summer on slender, upright stems clothed in feathery green leaves, and are followed by decorative seed pods.
Love-in-a-mist is often called a ‘sow and forget’ annual as the seeds can be sown direct in the soil and germinate reliably. It makes an excellent and long-lasting cut flower, and the seed pods can also be dried and used in flower arrangements.
Where to grow love-in-a-mist
Love-in a mist needs a sunny site and is best grown in borders, but it can be grown in large pots if sown in situ. Sow in patches to fill bare spaces between long-lived shrubs and perennials or grow with other hardy annuals for a colourful summer display.
When to plant love-in-a-mist
Sow love-in-a-mist seed from mid-spring to summer, and they will flower within a few weeks. In mild areas you can also sow seed in autumn to overwinter, for early spring flowers. However, if temperatures fall below -5ºC, you will need to cover seedlings with a cloche.
How to plant love-in-a-mist
Well-drained soil is essential for love-in-a-mist to thrive. Sow seed directly where you want it to flower, as it doesn’t transplant well, covering with 1cm of soil. If the ground is dry, water thoroughly before sowing. Thinning the seedlings to 10-15cm apart will produce larger and sturdier individual plants.
How to care for love-in-a-mist
Being an annual with both attractive flowers and seedheads, love-in-a-mist doesn’t need deadheading. In dry weather, keep seedlings and young plants hydrated by watering regularly. Established plants are fairly drought-tolerant. On windier sites you may need to support plants with a cane.
How to propagate love-in-a-mist
Love-in-a-mist seeds can be collected easily from the seed pods. The seeds are ripe and ready when the pods turn brown and papery. Save the seed to sow in spring. Seed can also be sown in autumn in mild areas, but bear in mind that love-in-a-mist is only half-hardy, and plants will need protection if temperatures fall below -5ºC.
Pests and diseases
Love-in-a-mist is a trouble-free plant to grow.
Love-in-a-mist varieties to grow
Nigella ‘Miss Jekyll’ is a beautiful shade of deep blue. There are also pink and pure white varieties. Height x Spread: 60cm x 30cm
- Buy Nigella ‘Miss Jekyll’ seed from Sarah Raven
Nigella ‘Moody Blues’ is an attractive mixture of different blue shades. H x S: 60cm x 35cm
- Buy Nigella ‘Moody Blues’ seed from Thompson & Morgan
Nigella ‘Persian Jewels’ is a pretty mixture of colours including sky-blue, pink and white. H x S: 55cm x 30cm
- Buy Nigella ‘Persian Jewels’ seed from Sarah Raven
Nigella ‘Delft Blue’ is a pretty mix of blue and white shades. H x S: 55cm x 30cm
- Buy Nigella ‘Delft Blue’ seed from Crocus
Nigella ‘Midnight’ has darker flowers of a striking shade of velvety-blue. H x S: 55cm x 30cm
- Buy Nigella ‘Midnight’ seed from Thompson & Morgan
Frequently asked questions
Do nigella plants come back every year?
Nigella plants are annual so complete their lifecycle in one year. However, if you leave the plants to self-seed there’s a good chance some new nigella plants will pop up the following year, although not necessarily where you sowed them. It’s therefore best to sow fresh love-in-a-mist seed each year, for a guaranteed display.
What to do with love-in-a-mist after flowering?
Love-in-a-mist has attractive seedheads that look just as nice as the flowers. Leave them in place to extend the display – you may find ladybirds hibernate in them as they start to rot. You can also collect seed from them to save and sow the following spring.
