Growing and Sowing Love-in-a-Mist
The love-in-a-mist, Nigella damascena, is an annual plant with elegant flowers and lacy foliage. It owes its name to the fact that the flowers are somewhat hidden among the fine leaves. The seed pods are also attractive, balloon-shaped, and are used in dried flower arrangements. It is an annual plant, but it self-seeds easily provided the seed pods are not removed.
Sowing and growing Love-in-a-Mist
Love-in-a-mist is an annual plant that can grow 30 to 60 cm tall. The plant has pretty flowers, often in blue, white, pink and lilac. The flowers attract many beneficial insects. The plant is not edible, but is sometimes mistaken for Nigella sativa or black cumin. It is a beautiful addition to any garden.
Sowing Love-in-a-Mist from seeds
From March to May, sowing can be done outdoors, directly in the open ground. The plant then flowers in the same year, but a little later in the season. For early flowering, sow in the autumn, September. Love-in-a-mist can be pre-sown, but this is not necessary.
Position and soil for love-in-a-mist flower
Choose a sunny spot in the garden, possibly partial shade is also no problem. The soil should be well-drained and not contain too many nutrients. Sow directly at your destination, the plants do not like transplanting. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of sand.
How to care for your Love-in-a-Mist plants
Love-in-a-mist needs little care. It is a strong, annual plant and ideal for novice gardeners. This bloomer also fits well in a natural flower meadow. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause the plants to go moldy. If necessary, remove the seed pods to prevent spreading. They self-sow easily.
Are Love-in-a-Mist plants bee and/or butterfly friendly?
Not as much as, for example, lavender or vervain, but this flower does attract bees and hoverflies, especially because of its open, accessible flowers and flowering in the early season when not many flowers bloom yet.
Love-in-a-Mist in the vegetable garden
Although it is not an edible plant, Love-in-a-mist does have benefits for your vegetable garden, especially if you like to garden ecologically. It attracts bees, which helps with pollination, and hoverflies, which can help control aphids.
Is Love-in-a-Mist edible and/or medicinal?
Love-in-a-mist is not edible and especially the seeds are even slightly poisonous. Not to be confused with Nigella sativa or black cumin.
Please note, we at Dutch Garden Seeds do not give medical advice. Always ask a professional if and how the plant can be used medicinally.
Love-in-a-Mist seeds in our collection
In our range we have several types of Love-in-a-mist seeds. Also an organic variant.
Tips for sowing love in a mist seeds
- Regularly remove faded flowers. This will make the plant bloom for longer.
- Remove the seed pods if you don't want the plant to self-seed.
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