Nigellas in Forbestown

Nigella damascena

Nigella
Nigella · Nigella damascena

A hardy annual grown from direct sowing in the UK. It does best in open, sunny ground with free-draining soil, and it often self-seeds if you leave some flower heads to mature.

45 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Forbestown · last frost ≈ 9 Jun

Sow April to June, harvest August to September. Frost risk September to June.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
SowNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Nigella

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    28 Apr to 23 Jun every 3 weeks

    Sow thinly around 28th April - 23rd June on finely raked, weed-free soil. Cover with a light depth of , then keep the seedbed just moist until seedlings appear. Sow a fresh batch every 21 days if you want a longer run of flowers.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    9 Jun to 23 Jun

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to apart. Do it gently, because crowded plants make fewer flowers and weak stems.

  3. 03

    Feed and Water

    25 Jun to 3 Sept

    From 25th June, water only in dry spells and avoid overfeeding, which gives soft growth and fewer blooms. A light mulch helps the soil hold moisture without making the plants lush.

  4. 04

    Deadhead Flowers

    25 Jul to 3 Sept

    Start picking and deadheading from 25th July to keep the plants flowering for longer. Cut stems regularly for the vase, and leave a few seed heads if you want self-seeding.

  5. 05

    Harvest Seed Heads

    24 Aug to 3 Sept

    Collect ripe seed heads from 24th August once they have dried and turned papery. Hang them indoors to finish drying, then shake out the seed for sowing next year.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Nigella.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Nigella to consider

Miss Jekyll

Classic blue flowers with finely cut foliage and a loose, airy habit.

Persian Jewels

Mixed colours on compact plants, useful for bedding and cutting.

Transformer

Grown more for the striped seed pods than the flowers, with a neat habit.

Nigella guides by town

See how Nigella timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.