Heirloom

Bells of Ireland

Moluccella laevis

Photo: Hans-Dieter Warda · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Add fresh, bright-green color and texture to mixed bouquets. Long stems covered with bright apple-green, bell-shaped, 2" calyxes centered with tiny, white blooms. Use as a spike or filler flower. Excellent in dried arrangements too. Blooms have a lovely, sour-apple scent. Also known as bells-of-Ireland and shellflower.

Harvest

90-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

2-3 feet

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Bells of Ireland in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Bells of Ireland · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining soil, tolerates a range of conditions

WaterRegular

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorBright apple-green

Size2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Bells of Ireland is worth one or two rounds of succession sowing, but the window is narrower than a salad green. In zone 7, direct sow a first round in early April, then a second in mid-May — roughly a 6-week gap. A late-May or early-June sowing is possible if you want dried stems for fall arrangements, but plants started after June 1 often run into summer heat before the spikes fully develop, and you'll get short, disappointing stems. Don't bother with a third round.

Cold stratification (7-10 days in the refrigerator before each sowing) matters for both rounds. Germination runs 7-14 days under good conditions, and days to harvest land around 90-110 from sowing — so map it backward from when you want cut stems and plan accordingly.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Wet. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Type: Nut.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh Bells of Ireland, store stems in a clean vase with cool water at 65-72°F, changing water every 2-3 days. Keep away from ripening fruit and direct sunlight. Fresh stems last 7-10 days. For preservation: (1) Air-dry by hanging bundles upside-down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks—they retain color and texture excellently. (2) Glycerin preservation: submerge stems in a 1:1 water-glycerin solution for 1-2 weeks for pliable, long-lasting arrangements. (3) Freeze-drying maintains structure and appearance for display, though requires special equipment.

History & Origin

Origin: Eastern Mediterranean to India.

Advantages

+Distinctive bright apple-green bell-shaped calyxes add unique color to bouquets
+Works as both fresh spike filler and dried arrangement flower
+Long stems provide excellent height and structure for arrangements
+Pleasant sour-apple scent adds subtle fragrance to cut flowers
+Easy to grow with relatively short 90-110 day growing period

Considerations

-Tall plants require staking or support to prevent stem breakage
-Prefers well-draining soil and struggles in wet, poorly-draining conditions
-Flowers may shatter or drop if handled roughly during arrangement

Companion Plants

Marigolds and nasturtiums are the workhorses here — both deter aphids and whiteflies through scent, which matters because Bells of Ireland's dense calyxes can trap soft-bodied insects in the leaf axils right where the bells form. Sweet alyssum planted at the base draws in parasitic wasps that handle aphid pressure without any spraying. Dill is worth including nearby for the same reason: it hosts predatory insects like Braconid wasps through its bloom cycle and doesn't compete for root space given the 12-18 inch planting distances Moluccella needs.

Black walnut, fennel, and eucalyptus are the ones to avoid. Black walnut produces juglone — a root-exuded compound that suppresses many annuals, and Bells of Ireland's shallow root system puts it squarely in harm's way. Fennel is allelopathic to a wide range of garden plants regardless of proximity; grow it in its own container if you want it at all. Eucalyptus releases growth-inhibiting terpenes through both roots and decomposing leaf litter, so even a neighbor's tree can be a problem if its canopy overhangs your bed.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Cosmos

Complement height and texture while attracting pollinators

Zinnias

Attract beneficial insects and provide color contrast

Cleome

Similar growing conditions and attracts beneficial insects

Nicotiana

Repels many garden pests and complements evening garden appeal

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants including annuals

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit nearby plant growth

Troubleshooting Bells of Ireland

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seeds sown direct fail to germinate after 3+ weeks, or germination is patchy and sparse

Likely Causes

Skipping cold stratification — Moluccella laevis has a built-in dormancy that warm soil alone won't break
Seed buried too deep; these need light to germinate and should sit at or just below the soil surface

What to Do

1.Refrigerate seeds in a damp paper towel for 7-10 days before sowing, then direct sow into prepared soil
2.Press seeds onto the surface and barely cover with 1/8 inch of fine soil or vermiculite — no deeper
3.If starting indoors in February or March, keep the tray at 55-65°F rather than on a warm heat mat

Stems flopping over or leaning badly by mid-summer, especially on plants over 2 feet

Likely Causes

Insufficient staking on tall stems that can hit 3 feet in a productive season
Planting in too much shade — partial shade is tolerable, but low light produces weak, leggy stems

What to Do

1.Install bamboo stakes or a single strand of jute twine between posts at 18 inches height once plants hit 12 inches tall
2.Space plants the full 18 inches apart — crowded plants compete and produce thinner stems
3.Relocate next year's planting to a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun for stiffer growth

Bells (calyxes) turning brown and papery while the plant is still actively growing, not at end of season

Likely Causes

Heat stress — prolonged days above 85°F cause the calyxes to dry and bleach prematurely
Inconsistent watering during the critical bell-development stage, when the plant is putting energy into forming each calyx along the spike

What to Do

1.Harvest stems early for drying once the bottom two-thirds of bells are fully formed — don't wait for the whole spike to finish
2.Mulch the root zone with 2-3 inches of straw to moderate soil temperature and hold moisture between waterings
3.Time your direct sow for early April so the plant hits its 90-110 day harvest window before peak summer heat arrives

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Bells of Ireland flowers last in a vase?▼

Fresh Bells of Ireland typically last 7-10 days in a clean vase with cool water, provided you change the water every 2-3 days and remove any lower foliage. They're excellent for dried arrangements too, lasting months or even years when properly dried and stored away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Are Bells of Ireland good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, Bells of Ireland are classified as easy to grow, making them ideal for beginners. They tolerate both full sun and partial shade (4-6+ hours minimum), are not particularly fussy about soil conditions, and have minimal pest issues. They bloom reliably within 90-110 days from planting.

Can you grow Bells of Ireland in containers?▼

Yes, Bells of Ireland can be grown in containers. Use well-draining potting soil and a pot at least 6-8 inches deep. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering than in-ground plants. Ensure they receive 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Staking may be necessary to support the tall stems in windy locations.

When should I plant Bells of Ireland seeds?▼

Sow Bells of Ireland seeds directly after your last frost date, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost for earlier blooms. Seeds need light to germinate, so press them gently into soil without covering. Keep soil moist and maintain temperatures around 70°F. Germination typically occurs within 7-14 days.

What does Bells of Ireland scent smell like?▼

Bells of Ireland has a distinctive sour-apple scent that's fresh and bright. This unique fragrance makes them particularly appealing for cut flower arrangements and adds sensory interest beyond their striking visual appearance. The scent is mild to moderate, present but not overpowering in bouquets.

How tall do Bells of Ireland flowers grow?▼

Bells of Ireland typically grows 2-3 feet tall, producing long stems that are well-suited for cutting and using as spike flowers in arrangements. The height makes them excellent for adding vertical dimension and structure to mixed bouquets and floral designs.