Photo: Иван Ковтун Ivan KovtunCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Field Nigella Plant Care
Nigella arvensis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Featuring delicate, finely divided leaves and striking blue or white flowers, this plant originates from the Mediterranean region. Plant collectors are drawn to Nigella arvensis for its unique beauty and ability to attract beneficial pollinators to the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Field Nigella?
Water Field Nigella every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Field Nigella Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Egypt
- Georgia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Ukraine
- Yemen
What Is the Field Nigella?
Field Nigella (Nigella arvensis) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Nigella genus. Field Nigella is native to North Africa, central, southern and eastern Europe, the Caucasus region, and the Middle East as far as Iran, and has gone extinct in Switzerland and Crete. Field Nigella is also known as Corn Nigella.
Field Nigella displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Field Nigella produces delicate, star-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Field Nigella?
Nigella arvensis requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Field Nigella Need?
Field Nigella thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Field Nigella Prefer?
Nigella arvensis grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Field Nigella prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Field Nigella?
Well-draining, sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Field Nigella to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Field Nigella?
Feed Field Nigella every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Field Nigella?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Field Nigella?
Field Nigella can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to love in a mist plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Field Nigella Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Field Nigella, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Field Nigella?
Field Nigella is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Field Nigella Need?
Field Nigella grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Field Nigella is native to North Africa, central, southern and eastern Europe, the Caucasus region, and the Middle East as far as Iran, and has gone extinct in Switzerland and Crete. In cooler regions, grow Field Nigella as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Field Nigella is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Nigella genus — compare its care with other Nigella species on PlantoScan.
Nigella is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.
Field Nigella thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Nigella Species
Other Nigella species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Nigella arvensis L., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 534 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Field Nigella, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Иван Ковтун Ivan Kovtun, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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