Love-in-a-mist (Nigella) Albion Black Pod - 100 seeds

Planting information to grow Nigella from seed

Plant type: half hardy annual (-10C)
Height: flowers grow 50-60 centimeters tall
Position: full sun or partial shade
Planting time: spring and September
Bloom time: starts 65 - 85 days after sowing in spring
Spacing: 30 centimeters between each plant
Germination: Takes 7-14 days in temperatures of 15-20°C fluctuation in temperature helps with germination
Pinching/pruning: not needed for seedlings
Flowers: May, June July, depending on the weather
Pollinator-friendly: Yes!
Recommended seed tray or pot: start in 40 cell trays (4-5 cm) and if needed pot up to 15-cell trays (7-9cm) or P9 flower pots
The package contains: 100 seeds

How to Grow Nigella Albion Black Pod from Seed

Nigella, also known as love-in-a-mist, is straightforward to grow, but keep in mind that the seedlings don't like to be transplanted due to their delicate yellow roots. Start seeds in a 40-cell tray or similar-sized cells (4 to 5 centimeters). If you sow seeds in autumn, you’ll need to transplant them into larger pots around January.

While you can direct sow the seeds in autumn, protecting them with fleece during cold spells may be needed during frosty nights (-10) to avoid losing seedlings. Transplant autumn-started seedlings around March, spacing them about 25-30 centimeters apart. Expect the first flowers around June.

Nigella Albion Black Pod is particularly prized for its large ornamental pods, rather than its white flowers. The more you cut, the more pods or flowers the plant will produce. While the petals of this variety may drop sooner than other Nigella types, the pods are exceptionally long-lasting once dried.

To dry the pods, pick them when they reach a decent size and hang them upside down in a well-ventilated room, away from direct sunlight. In about two weeks, the pods will be ready for use in your floral arrangements.