Florists love bells of Ireland for its availability and longevity, and you’ll see it used in wedding flower arrangements as often as in St. Patrick’s day bouquets. As a member of the Lamiaceae family, this plant is related to such ornamental and culinary plants as sage (Salvia), catmint (Nepeta), thyme (Thymus), and lavender (Lavandula). Bells of Ireland is generally planted in the spring, from seeds either sown directly into the garden, or from seeds started indoors at least two months before the last expected frost of spring. It can take 12-21 days for seeds to germinate and sprout, and another two months before they mature into flowering plants. If you are lucky enough to find a well-stocked nursery with plugs or young plants, it’s worth the extra money to start with these the first season. Doing this allows you to see if bells of Ireland grow well in your area without a significant investment of time or effort. If they take off, you can plant a bigger patch the following season, using seeds saved from plants. Bells of Ireland are top-heavy, and they may topple over after heavy rain or in areas exposed to wind. Plants growing in partial shade may also need staking, as they can become leggy. Stake the blooming stalks, grow the compact variety, or grow them in a sheltered area to keep the spires upright. Bells of Ireland don’t re-bloom, so you can remove plants past their prime without guilt. However, you may want to leave them in place long enough for the seeds to mature and scatter, as these annuals are self-sowing. The flower stalks also look lovely in dried arrangements.
Light
Full sun is best for bells of Ireland. The plants need at least some morning sun to prevent them from growing too leggy, which makes them prone to flopping. Plants in shady locations will almost certainly need staking.
Soil
These plants like soil with a neutral pH (6.5–7.5) that drains well and is kept evenly moist. It’s best to blend in some compost to the planting area before sowing seeds.
Water
Keep bells of Ireland consistently moist during the vulnerable seedling and transplant stages. Soaker hoses are great for providing moisture without water-logging the plants. These plants will do well with about 1 inch of water per week. Mulch helps preserve moisture in the soil.
Fertilizer
Bells of Ireland plants require little, if any feeding. Preparing the planting bed for them with compost should be enough. However, in very poor soil, you may need to fertilize. Follow the directions on the label.
Types of Bells of Ireland
There are few cultivars of Moluccella laevis available, but one very popular variety is ‘Pixie Bells’. It is quite similar to the species, but with shorter, sturdier stems that are much less likely to topple over when the plants get wet. Most gardeners prefer it over the species plant.
Propagating Bells of Ireland
The easiest way to propagate this plant is to collect seeds from the drying flower heads, saving them to plant the following spring (though they will need cold stratification for best results). You can also carefully transplant some of the self-seeded volunteers that sprout up in the garden. They will be plentiful if you leave flowers on the plant to mature and dry.
How to Grow Bells of Ireland From Seed
Plant bells of Ireland in the garden after the last frost date in your area in average garden soil. Leave seeds uncovered, as they require light to germinate. The seeds are slow to germinate, taking 12-21 days to sprout, so for earlier blooms start them indoors two months before the average last frost date. In mild climates, you can also sow seeds in the garden in the fall. Stratification increases the germination rate of bells of Ireland seeds. You can expose them to cold by sowing them outdoors in the fall, or by refrigerating them for a week before starting them indoors. Don’t just place the seed packet in the refrigerator; for best results, combine moist conditions with cold temperatures to mimic an outdoor experience. Sandwich the seeds between moist coffee filters or paper towels in the refrigerator, followed by planting in soil. This moist stratification results in a higher germination rate than simply exposing dry seeds to cold temperatures. When starting seeds indoors, it’s best to plant seeds in 3-inch pots filled with seed starter mix or ordinary potting soil, and wait until the plant is of good size before planting it outdoors in the garden. These plants have a taproot that doesn’t like to be disturbed, so try to avoid transplanting twice—from seed trays into pots, then from pots into the ground. Biodegradable pots are a good option for starting bells of Ireland seeds. While waiting for the seeds to germinate and sprout, keep the potting mix moist by misting with a spray bottle.
Harvesting
Bells of Ireland flowers are easy to dry, and they add interest to fresh-cut flower arrangements. The lime green calyxes make an attractive foil for wine or magenta-colored flowers, like Red Velvet celosia (Celosia argentea ‘Red Velvet’), globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa), or Purple Prince zinnia (Zinnia ‘Purple Prince’). For fresh flower arrangements, cut the flowers when the bells are about half open. For dried flower arrangements, wait until the bells are fully open have become firm to the touch. The stiff calyxes of bells of Ireland last up to two weeks in fresh arrangements, but the flowers don’t maintain their green tint as dried specimens. The bells will gradually turn tan as they dry. For a fun bouquet twist, spray paint dried stems gold or silver and pair with fresh green stems.
Potting and Repotting Bells of Ireland
Like most annuals, bells of Ireland make great container plants. As a tall, upright spire, it’s best planted in the center of a large container (any material will do) surrounded by colorful mounding and trailing annuals (purple and crimson flowering plants provide a lovely contrast) that will provide support for the spiky bells. Use a potting mix with fertilizer included to give the plants a good start. Water the container regularly. Check the soil using your finger. If the top inch of soil is dry, time to water. Bells of Ireland don’t like to be transplanted so repotting this annual isn’t advised. It’s also not a good candidate for a houseplant.
Common Pests & Diseases
Bells of Ireland can be subject to cerospora leaf blight, a disease that causes small flecks with yellowish halos to appear on the leaves. Crown rot can also cause the plants to wilt from the soil line up, eventually dying. Diseased plants should be removed and discarded. There are few serious garden pests that threaten bells of Ireland plants, though aphids and spider mites are occasional problems.
