When to plant Nigella in the UK

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. It often self-seeds if you leave some flower heads to mature.

45 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden
Sow outdoors September to October, harvest June to August.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Sow once in free-draining soil for flowers next year. Protect young seedlings only when hard frost is due.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    early September to early October UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Sow thinly during early September to early October on finely raked, weed-free soil where the plants are to flower. Cover with . Keep the seedbed lightly moist until seedlings appear. This is one sowing, not a run of batches.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    early October to mid-November UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Thin during early October to mid-November, leaving the strongest plants apart. Take out surplus seedlings carefully so nearby roots are not disturbed.

  3. 03

    Feed and Water

    early October to mid-September UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From early October to mid-September, water in dry spells once growth restarts. Cover young plants with fleece only if hard frost is due. Take it off in mild weather.

  4. 04

    Deadhead Flowers

    late April to late September UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Flowers open next year, from late April through late September. Pick and deadhead fading flowers. Leave a few heads if you want seed.

  5. 05

    Harvest Seed Heads

    mid-June to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Collect seed next year, from mid-June through late August, once the heads are dry and papery. Hang them indoors to finish drying, then shake out the seed.

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.