How to Grow Ammi Majus (UK guide)
With its lacy, foamy blooms, Ammi majus brings a natural elegance to borders and flower arrangements. This easy-to-grow annual is valued for its height, airy structure, and ability to draw pollinators, making it a must-have for wildlife-friendly and cottage gardens.
Growing Ammi Majus in UK Gardens
Ammi majus thrives in full sun and fertile, free-draining soil. It is best sown in early spring where it is to flower, or started under cover for earlier blooms. Deadhead regularly to promote extended flowering and enjoy clouds of lacy blooms in borders or arrangements.
Cut Flowers
Ethereal white umbels, elegant foliage, perfect for bouquets
How to Grow Ammi Majus from Seed
- 01Fill pots or seed trays with a free-draining seed compost.
- 02Sow seeds thinly on the surface and barely cover with a sprinkling of compost or vermiculite.
- 03Keep moist but not waterlogged and place in a bright, cool position to germinate.
- 04Transplant young seedlings when large enough to handle, spacing them 25–30cm apart outdoors.
- 05Harden off indoor-grown seedlings before planting into their final positions after the last frost.
You will need
- 01Full sun site
- 02Free-draining soil
- 03Regular deadheading
- 04Occasional feeding
- 05Sheltered position
Should I pinch out Ammi majus?
Pinch out the growing tips when plants are 15cm tall to produce bushier plants and longer stems for cutting.
Plant Calendar
Ammi Majus Growing Essentials
Sunlight
Prefers a spot in full sun for best flowering but tolerates very light shade.
Soil
Needs fertile, free-draining soil. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged ground.
Feeding
Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks in poor soil or containers.
Watering
Keep soil just moist, especially during dry spells, but do not overwater.
Ammi Majus: FAQs & Common Problems
Ammi Majus FAQs
Cut Ammi majus stems for the vase as soon as most of the tiny individual flowers in each umbel have opened. Pick regularly to encourage repeat flowering from early summer until autumn.
Yes, you can grow Ammi majus in pots at least 30cm wide and deep, using a loam-based compost with added grit for drainage. Ensure the container has drainage holes and keep the compost just moist.
Feed every two to three weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during the growing season, especially if ammi is grown in containers or poor soil. Avoid high nitrogen feeds that encourage leafy growth over flowers.
Ammi majus is relatively trouble-free but may occasionally suffer from aphids and powdery mildew. Encourage natural predators and ensure good air circulation to minimise problems.
POLLINATOR Plants singing magnet for pollinators, drawing in bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects.
