Nigella
History and Lore
Nigella, also known as devil-in-a-bush or love-in-a-mist, is a beautiful genus in the Ranunculaceae family. Its spindly leaves and dainty petals disguise the powerful uses of the plant’s almost magical seeds, showing there is more to the nigella than meets the eye.
Depending on the species, these vibrant flowers come in white, pink, yellow, pale blue or pale purple and can grow between eight and 35 inches tall. They can have up to ten petals, and their leaves are narrow and threadlike, looking almost like hair or a spider web.
Though a symbol of unrequited love, you’ll love the numerous (seemingly endless) uses of the plant, specifically in the seeds of Nigella sativa, known as kalonji. Black cumin, or black caraway, as it is called, has been used as a spice and condiment as far back as ancient Rome and, in modern times, is still used in South Asian, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern and Polish cuisines.
As for health benefits, kalonji appears pretty magical and is even backed by modern medical research. Traditionally used for respiratory problems, the seeds have been shown to be anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial and have been shown to help with asthma and gastrointestinal distress. The plant is used in Mediterranean cultures for liver disease, diarrhea, dysentery, colic, parasites, and abscesses. To top it off, ongoing research has found that certain compounds in the flower may slow down the growth of cancer.
Growing Method
Nigella seeds can be planted in the fall and overwintered or in early spring, depending on your USDA growing zone. In zones 7 and higher, plant seeds in the fall so they have time to enjoy the mild winter. In zones 6 and lower, wait until early spring (mid March in Boise) and direct sow as seeds dislike disruption. As much as nigella enjoys a moody, cold day in the winter to get started, it really likes a sunny spot to flourish in the spring and summer. So make sure seeds are spread in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day.
If it brings you joy on a cold day to start seeds indoors, like it does us, stratify seeds for a couple weeks in the freezer before starting. Press seeds into a starting tray and cover lightly with soil. Keep soil moist. Seedlings should appear within 10-14 days.
Transfer out in early spring as we mentioned before, this hardy annual likes it cool to establish strong roots. Plants should be spaced about 9 inches apart.
Blooms can last as long as 7 days in a vase if harvested when the buds are three quarters open. Pods last indefinitely if dried upside down for a couple of weeks.
Happy growing!
