Heirloom

Covent Garden Market

Gypsophila elegans

Photo: Jean.claude · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Small, 1/2- 3/4", white flowers make an airy cut-flower filler for bouquets. Multi stems per plant. Succession plant for continuous harvest through the summer. Also known as baby's breath, "gyp," and showy baby's-breath.

Harvest

45-50d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

3–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-24 inches

📏

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 Covent Garden Market in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Covent Garden Market · Zones 3–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-12 inches

SoilWell-drained loam, neutral to slightly alkaline

WaterModerate, consistent moisture; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorWhite

Size1/2- 3/4"

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

Covent Garden Market gypsophila blooms fast — 45 to 50 days from direct sow — but each plant gives you one good flush of flowers before it's finished. That makes succession planting worth the effort. In zone 7, direct sow every 14 to 18 days from April 1 through early June; stop once daytime highs are consistently hitting 85°F, because germination drops off sharply in heat and plants bolt without putting on much useful stem length.

If you want flowers for late summer cutting, start a final round indoors in late June and transplant out in mid-July once temperatures ease off. Don't expect the same stems from a late planting — heat-stressed plants tend to top out well below the 18-24 inch range you'll get from an April sow.

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: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Covent Garden Market reaches harvest at 45 - 50 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1/2- 3/4" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Covent Garden Market baby's breath should be stored in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ethylene-producing fruits. Keep stems in fresh water at room temperature (65-70°F) with 50-60% humidity for maximum vase life of 2-3 weeks. Preservation methods include: (1) Air drying—bundle stems and hang upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks for long-lasting dried arrangements; (2) Glycerin preservation—place cut stems in a 50/50 water-glycerin solution for 2-3 weeks to create pliable, long-lasting flowers; (3) Freeze drying—professional method for preserving delicate florets while maintaining color and structure.

History & Origin

Origin: Southern Ukraine to West & Northern Iran

Advantages

+Produces abundant multi-stem branching ideal for high-volume cut flower operations
+Quick 45-50 day turnaround enables succession planting for continuous summer harvest
+Delicate white flowers command premium prices in bouquet and arrangement markets
+Requires minimal special care making it accessible for commercial growers

Considerations

-Prone to root rot in poorly drained soil common to greenhouse conditions
-Flowers shatter quickly after cutting reducing vase life and market appeal
-Requires careful handling and spacing to prevent tangled stems during harvest

Companion Plants

Marigolds and sweet alyssum are the most useful neighbors here — marigolds deter aphids and whiteflies through their root secretions and foliage scent, while sweet alyssum draws in parasitic wasps that knock back those same pests. Nasturtiums work as a trap crop, pulling aphids off the gypsophila before they become a real problem. Skip sunflowers: they release allelopathic compounds from their roots that stunt nearby plants, and in our zone 7 Georgia garden, both crops hit peak growth at the same time, so you'd be paying that cost all season. Black walnut is an outright no — juglone toxicity affects a wide range of plants and gypsophila's shallow, fibrous roots put it squarely in harm's way.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids and other pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Chives

Deter aphids and Japanese beetles with their strong sulfur compounds

Catnip

Repels ants, aphids, and flea beetles more effectively than DEET

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects like lacewings and provide nectar for pollinators

Petunias

Natural pesticide properties repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic compounds in leaves suppress germination and growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Release allelopathic chemicals that inhibit growth of smaller flowering plants

Troubleshooting Covent Garden Market

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

Stems collapsing at the base, plants wilting despite adequate watering, often appearing 7-14 days after a stretch of wet weather

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — soil-borne fungi that thrive in cool, waterlogged conditions
Overcrowded planting at less than 6-inch spacing blocking airflow at the soil line

What to Do

1.Pull affected plants immediately — they won't recover, and the fungi spread fast
2.Thin remaining plants to at least 6 inches apart to open up airflow around the stems
3.Hold off watering until the top inch of soil is dry, and water at the base rather than overhead

Leaves developing a white powdery coating, starting on older growth, usually showing up once temperatures climb above 80°F

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — a fungal disease that spreads in warm, humid air with poor circulation
Dense plantings or shaded spots that trap moisture on leaf surfaces

What to Do

1.Spray affected foliage with a diluted solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda per gallon of water — not a cure, but slows spread
2.Remove and trash the worst-affected stems; don't compost them
3.Plant your next succession in full sun with 9-12 inch spacing to cut down on recurrence

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Covent Garden Market baby's breath flowers last in a vase?▼

With proper care, fresh stems last 2-3 weeks in a vase. Change water every 2-3 days, trim stems at an angle, and keep away from ripening fruit and direct heat. For dried arrangements, air-dried or glycerin-preserved stems can last 6+ months, making them ideal for long-term floral displays and wedding arrangements.

Is Covent Garden Market baby's breath easy to grow for beginners?▼

Yes, it's rated as easy to grow. This heirloom variety thrives in full sun to partial shade with minimal fussing. It tolerates various growing conditions and produces abundant multi-stemmed growth. Succession planting every 2-3 weeks ensures continuous harvest through summer without requiring advanced gardening skills.

Can you grow Covent Garden Market in containers?▼

Yes, this variety grows well in containers. Use well-drained potting soil in pots at least 8-10 inches deep. Ensure containers receive 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Container growing allows for easier management, mobility, and can extend the growing season with protection from extreme weather.

When should I plant Covent Garden Market baby's breath for summer flowers?▼

Direct sow seeds after the last frost date in your area. For continuous summer bloom, succession plant every 2-3 weeks through early summer. Seeds germinate in 7-10 days under optimal conditions. Flowers are ready to harvest 45-50 days after sowing, allowing strategic timing for consistent bouquet filler availability.

What makes Covent Garden Market different from other baby's breath varieties?▼

Covent Garden Market is a select heirloom cultivar known for exceptionally airy, small white flowers (1/2-3/4 inches) perfect for cut-flower fillers. It produces abundant multi-stems per plant, making it highly productive for florists and bouquet enthusiasts. Its vigor and succession-planting capability set it apart for commercial and home floral production.

How many stems can I expect per Covent Garden Market plant?▼

This variety is prolific, producing multiple stems per plant throughout the growing season. The exact number depends on spacing, sunlight, and care, but plants typically generate abundant branching structure. Proper spacing (6-12 inches apart) ensures adequate air circulation and maximizes stem production for cut-flower harvesting.