Black Pod Nicandra is an heirloom flower that brings unexpected drama to summer and fall gardens, with delicate purple-blue blooms followed by striking black seed pods that persist long after petals fade. Hardy in zones 8, 11, this upright plant grows 4 to 5 feet tall and reaches full bloom in 84 to 98 days from seed, rewarding patient gardeners with continuous flowers from June through November. Its deer resistance and magnetic pull on pollinators make it as practical as it is beautiful, thriving in full sun with moderate water and minimal fuss.
Full Sun
Moderate
8-11
60in H x 48in W
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Moderate
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Black Pod Nicandra earns its name from the deep charcoal seed pods that develop as the flowers age, creating a multi-season display that extends well into fall. The delicate purple-blue flowers emerge in succession over months, while the distinctive pod development adds architectural interest to bouquets and dried arrangements. This heirloom shows remarkable resilience, attracting pollinators without demanding special care or coddling.
Black Pod Nicandra primarily serves ornamental purposes, prized for its long season of purple-blue flowers and distinctive black seed pods that add visual interest to fresh and dried arrangements. The pods dry beautifully and are often kept for late-season garden color or winter dried displays.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost in containers maintained between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds will sprout in 5 to 15 days. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
Move hardened-off seedlings to the garden after your last spring frost date when soil has warmed.
Direct sow seeds outdoors at your last frost date.
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