Albion Black Pod, Nigella Seed

Albion Black Pod Love-in-a-Mist Seed

White double flowers mature into dark plum-black pods
Stiff twelve-to-twenty-four-inch stems simplify cutting
Two-inch blooms attract beneficial garden insects
Fresh and dried bouquets gain dramatic contrast

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Nigella damascena

Days to maturity

65 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

250 Seeds

About Albion Black Pod, Love-in-a-Mist Seed, Love-in-a-Mist Seed

Produces beautiful white double flowers and decorative black seed pods for fresh and dried bouquets. Fluffy 2" blooms fade to large, dark plum-colored seed pods on stiff, 12–24" stems. Also great for attracting beneficial insects to the garden. Also known as Love in a Mist.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

7–14 days

Germination Type

M - Fall Sow Recommended

In-row plant spacing

9-12"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

6,250

Color

Black, White

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

For Love-in-a-Mist, select a full-sun site with well-drained soil and good air circulation. Remove perennial weeds, loosen compacted ground, and incorporate modest compost without making the bed overly rich. Prepare a fine, firm seedbed. Plan a fall or winter sowing so natural seasonal conditions support germination.

Planting

Love-in-a-Mist may be direct-sown in early spring, and many types also perform well from fall or winter sowing. Keep the surface evenly moist until seedlings establish, taking care not to bury light-requiring seed. Indoor starts need bright light and cool conditions. Thin direct-sown seedlings after true leaves appear, or transplant carefully before roots become crowded.

Watering

Love-in-a-Mist needs consistent moisture during establishment but tolerates moderate dryness afterward. Water deeply during prolonged drought, allowing the upper soil to dry between applications.

Fertilizer

Love-in-a-Mist needs only moderate feeding. Use diluted balanced fertilizer during active growth, following label rates and limiting nitrogen so plants remain compact and flower freely.

Harvesting

Harvest love-in-a-mist as buds begin opening or when blooms reach full color, depending on intended use. Cut above a branching point, place stems in water promptly, and remove spent flowers regularly.

Tips

Remove faded love-in-a-mist blooms before seed forms to encourage continued flowering. Shear lightly if plants become leggy, and protect containers from drying faster than garden beds.

Pests & Diseases

Love-in-a-mist may develop damping-off, powdery mildew, Botrytis, or leaf spots. Direct sowing reduces transplant injury, but crowded seedlings should still be thinned. Remove gray-molded pods instead of drying them, and collect seed only from clean capsules after several dry days.

Monitor love-in-a-mist for aphids, thrips, mites, beetles, slugs, and chewing caterpillars. Remove badly infested growth, use physical controls first, and apply labeled treatments outside pollinator-active hours.