Nigella damascena, more commonly known as love in a mist, is an delightful flowering plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. These plants, largely distributed throughout the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, are an annual flowering plant, occasionally showing up in early summer months. Love in a mist is an attractive ornamental flower, standing out with lush, spidery foliage, alternate purple flowers with a green stamen, and balloon-shaped seed capsules – creating a green mist around the blooms.
Meaning and Symbolism
The etymology of the genus and species epithet “Nigella” contributes to the meaning and symbolism of this plant. The word “Nigella” is derived from the Latin word “niger” which translates to “black.” This Latin word also appeared in Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”, an epic poem describing the origins of Greek and Roman mythology. The word “damascena”, on the other hand, comes from Damascus, an ancient metropolis known for its love-inspired poems.
The combination of the two words speaks to the plant’s romantic symbolism and the legends of love and chivalry that have been associated with it in the past. It is said that the Sultan of Syria, upon being struck with cupid’s arrow in Damascus, impulsively sowed the seeds of love in a mist as a sentimental offering. Since then, love in a mist have become rare and mythical plants, bring with them the story of the Sultan’s love and passion.
History, Mythology, and Religious Significance
Love in a mist has a longstanding historical and religious significance, being mentioned in the Bible and featured in many Medieval paintings. In medieval Europe, the plant was thought to strengthen conjugal love and banish sad and melancholic feelings. Even today, its romantic symbolism continues, being given as a token of love and affection.
In Christianity, love in a mist was offered at weddings to purify the couple and bring them luck and fortune. Although the symbolism of this flower has changed with the passing of time, love in a mist continues to be treasured in many cultures, representing strong ties of love, devotion, and loyalty.
Flower Varieties and their Defining Characteristics
Nigella damascena has a variety of cultivars and species. The plant comes in an array of colors – from bright royal blue to white, pink and purple. Each type of flower has different characteristics and grows differently. Some of the most popular types of love in a mist are Nigella arvense, Nigella damascena, Nigella hispanica, Nigella orientalis, Ninguta Iaponica, Nigella sativa.
Nigella damascena is an annual plant and an example of what is commonly known as love in a mist. This species has a tall, upright growth with lacy foliage and rows of star-shaped flowers. The blue-leave species grows up to 16 inches in height and produces Eupropean-style blossoms that look like feathers. The single cultivars are typically white, pink, or purple but can occasionally be seen in yellow.
Nigella hispanica, also known as Spanish love in a mist, features soft green foliage and bright magenta petals. It typically grows to about 8 inches in height and prefers cooler, summer climates with plenty of sun exposure. It is a much bushier, compact plant compared to other species and is ideal for smaller spaces
Nigella Sativa is closely related to the damascena species and is also great for attracting pollinators. This species is an annual ornamental shrub and often used in flower beds and vegetable gardens. This plant has a shorter growth habit than the damascena species, growing up to 12 inches in height. It produces white, lavender-blue or light blue flowers and has a strong, clove-like fragrance.
How to Plant
Love in a mist can be grown easily given a few conditions. To plant, choose a location with full sun to partial shade and soil with a neutral pH. It is important to provide a well-draining soil that provides the plant with plenty of water while not becoming waterlogged. Temperatures should be moderate – hot and cold weather can cause this plant damage.
Choose either a pot or seed bed and add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to enrich the soil. Once planted, keep soil moist as the seedlings emerge and begin to establish in the new environment. Once established, love in a mist should be fertilized occasionally with a balanced fertilizer and watered regularly.
How to Pot and Repot
When potting love in a mist, choose a pot with sufficient drainage holes as this plant is prone to waterlogging and can spread fast. A terracotta or unglazed pot is ideal, but if using a plastic pot, make sure to use a pot with a wide base. This gives the plant more room to expand and will keep the pot from becoming too heavy.
When repotting, use a pot the next size up and fill the pot with a quality potting mix. When transferring the plant from the old to new pot, use your fingers to break away any clumps of soil. Give the plant time to adjust in its new environment before watering heavily.
How to Prune
To ensure that love in a mist continues to bloom, pruning should be done regularly. Deadheading is the best form of pruning when it comes to keeping this plant in good health and making sure it continues to flower into late summer. Once the flowering period has ceased, give it a heavy prune and prepare it for the next growing season.
When deadheading, use a pair of sharp scissors or pruners to carefully remove spent blooms and seed heads. For heavier pruning, use a pair of loppers or shears to cut back the stems to give the plant a neat, tidy shape. Pruning also helps prevent the plant from becoming too large and unmanageable, as it is an aggressive spreader.
How to Propagate
Love in a mist can be easily propagated from seeds, cuttings and root cuttings. To propagate from seeds, it is important to start seeds indoors in the early spring or late winter months. Fill a pot with a quality potting mix and evenly scatter seeds on the surface. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting mix and keep moist with a mister or spray bottle.
Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, move to a pot or garden bed with a rich, well-draining soil. When propagating from cuttings, take 4-inch stem cuttings and insert into a pot filled with a slightly moist potting mix. Make sure to keep in a warm, humid location and the cuttings should begin to root in a few weeks.
Common Diseases and Pests
Love in a mist is generally resistant to most plant diseases, but they can occasionally be affected by powdery mildew and rust. To help prevent these diseases, it is important to provide plenty of sun exposure and ensure that the soil is not becoming waterlogged. It is also important to avoid overhead watering, as this can help spread diseases.
Common pests that can cause problems for this plant include aphids, leafhoppers, and spider mites. To prevent these pests, make sure plants are well-watered and irrigate the foliage as little as possible. Pesticides can be used in severe infestations, but should only be used as a last resort as these can be damaging to the plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When is the best time to plant love in a mist?
A1: The best time to plant love in a mist is in the early spring, right before the temperatures begin to drop.
Q2: How often should love in a mist be watered?
A2: Love in a mist should be watered regularly and consistently, especially during the warmer months. Make sure to keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged.
Q3: How long does love in a mist live for?
A3: Love in a mist typically grows for one year, flowering from early to late summer. After its flowering periods, the plant will die back, only to regrow from the seed the following year.
Table Fact Sheet
| Love in a Mist | Nigella damascena |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Plant Type | Annual |
| Mature Size | 8-16 inches |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil Type | Well-draining |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Early to late summer |
| Flower Color | White, pink, purple, yellow |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-9 |
| Native Area | Europe and Asia |
What we love from Amazon this week
Buy these wonderful flowers directly from Amazon:
Benchmark Bouquets, Flowering Fields, Glass Vase Included, Gift Fresh Flowers for Birthday, Anniversary, Get Well, Sympathy, Congratulations, Thank You, Just Because
$43.95 (as of November 18, 2024 20:16 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
