How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Bells of Ireland

Admired for their interesting look, bells of Ireland is a popular plant among gardening enthusiasts. Plant these annuals for a hardy flowering plant that can be used fresh or dried for the vase. Expert Sarah Jay will show you how to grow this plant at home.

A shot of several stalks of Bells of Ireland in a bright sunny area outdoors

Contents

If you’re a fan of tall flower stalks with interesting botanical structures, bells of Ireland is a great plant for you. Hailing from Western Asia, these bells don’t call Ireland their home. The culprit for this common name was most likely an enterprising seed distributor in the 20th century.

While they have a wide hardiness range, these plants grow best in dry, cool areas. They’re hardy down to zone 2 and do fine in regions of zones 6 through 11. But they aren’t fans of too much heat or humidity. Therefore, there’s a limit to where bells of Ireland will thrive. 

If you are living in a colder zone, you’ll need to get your timing right for planting, especially if you’re growing bells of Ireland seeds. Fear not, though. We’ll discuss this, and all the base needs you should provide for your bells in this piece.

Plant Overview

A close-up shot of the Molucca balmis plant showcasing its shell-shaped foliage in a well lit area
Plant Type Flowering annual
Family Lamiaceae
Genus Moluccella
Species Moluccella laevis
Native Area Middle East
Exposure Full sun
Height 3′
Watering Requirements Moderate
Pests & Diseases Leaf blight, crown rot, aphids, spider mites
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Well-draining, average
Hardiness Zone 2-11

What are Bells of Ireland?

The plant is a hardy annual in the Lamiaceae or mint family. The botanical name Moluccella laevis is associated with the common names bells of Ireland, Molucca balmis, or shell flower.

One of the plant’s other common names, Molucca balmis, was assigned by Carl Linnaeus, who initially classed the plant in the Moluccas genus, named after the Spice Islands of Indonesia. Some suggest this has to do with the spicy scent bells of Ireland emit from their flowers. The bells of Ireland are also commonly associated with good luck and fortune. Therefore, they’re often given as a cut flower to people embarking on new life journeys.

Native Area

A shot of a small composition of the Molucca balmis plant showcasing their stalks and shell or bell-shaped leaf parts in a well lit area outdoors
It is native to the Mediterranean, namely Turkey, Syria and parts of India.

The most popular common name, bells of Ireland, is a bit of a misnomer, as the plant doesn’t originate in Ireland but instead is native to the Mediterranean, namely Turkey, Syria, and parts of India. The bells of Ireland’s common name most likely came about due to an Irish flower farmer who wanted to sell seeds of the plant to other flower enthusiasts.  

Characteristics

A close-up shot of several stalks of the Molucca balmis plant showcasing it bell-shaped leaf parts in a well lit area outdoors
They have tall stalks and are covered with thorns with bell-like leaf parts.

Its tall flower stalks reach two to three feet and spread one foot wide per plant. Each square-shaped stalk is covered with thorns and bells of green calyces (or flower-like leaf parts) that have tiny white flowers deep in their center. In between a few of the bells, serrated mint-like leaves jut out perpendicularly.

Their sensitive tap root grows down into the soil below. People grow these lovely and interesting plants for both fresh arrangements and dried arrangements. They plant them to block access to plants wildlife like to munch on, due to their deer-resistance. They also attract pollinators, specifically butterflies.

These plants prefer cooler weather and won’t perform as well in hot or humid areas. If you’ve opted to plant them in a warmer zone, you may notice they add interest to your garden, but you’ll also notice variability. Some plants will grow taller spikes than others, which may not flower at all. Therefore, in hotter areas, it may be better to cultivate them in your container garden.    

Even though this plant is an annual, it does readily self-seed. Its foliage grows in spring, and its flowers bloom in summer and fall. As the flowers die away, they release small seeds that overwinter and emerge again in early spring – but only in optimal conditions. These seeds should remain on the soil surface, as they need light to germinate. The fading flowers precede lovely bleaching of the calices that adds a welcome change to the space in which they are planted.  

Planting

A top-view shot of several growing flowers showcasing their tall stalks and vibrant green bell-shaped calyces in a well lit area outdoors.
Remove any rocks or debris before scattering seeds.

To plant bells of Ireland, start by choosing a location with full sun and well-draining soil, as these annuals thrive best in bright, open spaces. They can be grown directly from seed, and for the best results, sow the seeds outdoors in early spring, as they prefer cool soil and may benefit from a light chill to germinate.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any rocks or debris, then scatter the seeds on the surface and lightly press them into the soil without fully covering them, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings appear, which usually takes about two to three weeks. For an earlier start, you can sow seeds indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost, transplanting them once the weather warms.

Once established, bells of Ireland require minimal care, as they are drought-tolerant and generally pest-resistant.

How to Grow

If you want to grow this lovely flowering plant with long stems for flower arrangements, you’ll need to know what is required to grow it. Here are the basics!

Light

A close-up shot of a growing shellflower showcasing its stalks and foliage in a bright sunny area outdoors
These flowers prefer full sun exposure, at least 6 to 8 hours per day.

The native habitats of bells of Ireland have colder, dry climates. If you do not live in cooler regions, adjust your conditions to better suit the plant. Those in its hardiness zone 2 will do best in full sun with at least six to eight hours per day. The afternoon sun can be shaded, but the morning sun is a must.

Those grown in the right climate with inadequate light will take on a floppy stem that requires staking. Outside their hardiness range, in warmer climates, give bells of Ireland more shade. Again, morning light is best, as opposed to that of the afternoon. 

Water

A focused shot of a black soaker hose in the garden dripping wet with water on top of moist soil in a well lit area
The plants need at least 1 inch of water per week.

Your bells of Ireland plants need at least one inch of water per week. They prefer that the soil remain moist in the garden throughout their annual lifespan. Especially when you are nursing seedlings, keep the site or your containers consistently moist, but don’t waterlog it.

While your bells aren’t typically prone to waterborne illnesses, they can experience issues with fungal leaf spots and the like when they’re watered from above rather than at their base with soaker hoses or drip irrigation. If you do not have an irrigation system, water carefully by hand with a slow-flowing hose or watering can. Avoid wetting the leaves of your planting. 

Because the plants die back in fall and winter, you won’t need to water them when only woody stems remain. But a little bit of water applied to the areas where seeds may have spread will help with spring germination. As for humidity, keep your bells of Ireland away from humid climates, either indoors or outdoors. If you’re cultivating them in a greenhouse, make sure it’s not one designed for humidity-loving tropicals. 

Soil

A close-up of rich, crumbly soil teeming with nutrients, ready to nurture life and support vibrant growth, promising bountiful harvests and flourishing greenery in a garden of abundance.
They develop best in sandy, well-draining soil.

Make sure your bells are planted in a spot with well-draining soil. Most average garden soil is perfect for them, but compacted soils will cause problems with taproot development. Sandy soil is just fine for them, and regular potting soil amended with agricultural sand is great for containers. 

Poor-quality soils may still produce the tiny white flowers people love to add to flower arrangements, but in order to fully mature, the plants prefer good nutrition and drainage. A neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is best for growing these plants. 

Temperature

A close up shot of growing green stalks of the Molucca balmis plant in a well lit area outdoors
This plant can withstand light frost but struggle in sun and heat.

While zone 2 has lots of cold, these annuals die back as the frost comes in autumn. They can withstand some light frosts, but consistent freezes or snap freezes will damage the leaves of the plants. If you grow bells of Ireland outside zone 2, particularly in subtropical regions, keep them out of too much sun and heat, and provide at least partial shade. It’s here they’ll take on scorching and won’t perform as well. 

Fertilizing

A hand holding small, round, mustard-yellow fertilizer pellets sprinkles them onto the ground, with a small green plant's stem and leaves visible nearby.
It will not require extra fertilizer.

Even if you’re growing these plants indoors or in container gardens, they won’t need extra feeding beyond the fill of your garden site or pot. In areas that get hot and humid, don’t feed them as they won’t be suited to uptake nutrients in these conditions. You’re good to go if the ground you plant them in has good organic content. 

Maintenance

Close-up of a gardener using dark green pruning shears to trim the thorny stems of a plant in the garden.
Pruning is only necessary when harvesting blooms.

As the stems of your plant bloom, you may want to cut them for flower arrangements or bouquets. In this case, do so when the flowers are about half way open if you’re working with a fresh arrangement. For dried cut flower arrangements, cut them when they’re fully open. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the thorny stems.

Outside having a harvest of cut flowers, there is little reason to prune for cosmetic reasons. If you’d like to clean your garden after they die back, you can cut the dead stems out of the garden in winter. You can also leave them for nesting wildlife. 

Propagation

A close-up shot of a growing seedling of a plant showcasing its small leaves and thorny stems that is placed on a seed-starting tray in a well lit area.
Sowing the seeds is the best method of propagation.

Sowing seeds is the best mode of propagation. You can let the plant sow seeds naturally, allowing the plant to bloom and the flowers to release seeds for them to germinate naturally in spring. However, seeds will only sprout in areas where the climate is right. 

You can also sow seeds indoors, ahead of the last frost date, by about eight to ten weeks. Sowing in seed flats to be planted in the garden whole is best. Simulate the overwintering process by refrigerating your seeds for about a week first. After you wait this time, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. You can also simulate this moisture treatment by placing the seeds in a plastic bag with a wet paper towel or napkin.

Due to their tendency to transplant shock, germinate your seeds in peat pots or our Epic 4-cells. Both allow you to avoid root disturbances. Fill these with potting soil or a slightly moisture-retentive seed starting mix with one part compost, one part peat moss, and one part perlite. Press the prepared seeds into the soil surface and expose them to light. In a few weeks, they’ll sprout.  

If you’d like to avoid the risk of transplant shock, sow seeds directly in the garden ground, but wait until the last frost date has passed. Only use this method if the climate conditions have allowed the plants to experience natural seed germination in your garden. Keep the seeds on the soil surface, and spread a thin layer of vermiculite that will keep them from blowing away but expose them to the light they need to grow. 

Common Problems

Now that we’ve talked about planting and caring for bells of Ireland, let’s discuss some of the problems gardeners face when they work with these fragrant flowers. Most of the problems occur in the seed germination and seedling phases of growth. 

Growing Problems

A close-up shot of several stalks of the Molucca balmis plant showcasing its lush green stalks and bell shaped leaves in a well lit area outdoors
Growing issues occur due to fluctuations in temperature.

People who try to grow bells of Ireland outside colder zones may have variable success in getting them to mature and flower. Stems in too much shade may flop and fall over, making it difficult for gardeners to have access to the lovely fragrant cut flowers the bells produce. Stake them if necessary. Bells of Ireland seeds also typically don’t germinate naturally outside their preferred climate. 

Similarly, if you try to transplant seedlings, they could experience transplant shock in the process. This is why direct seeding or planting bells of Ireland seeds in seed trays is recommended in areas outside USDA zone 2. Related to this, growing in poor soil with too much or too little light or water may not yield the lovely fresh scent these flowers provide.   

Pests

Clusters of small brown aphids cling to the stem while ants move among them, creating a busy scene on the plant.
Aphids and spider mites are the commons pests, but can be treated using neem oil.

While the growing requirements of bells of Ireland seeds and plants are somewhat complicated, the pests attracted to the plant are few. Deer do not bother a garden bordered by this species, and most wildlife leaves the plant alone. 

However, you could have some issues with sap-sucking aphids and spider mites. They tend to congregate on the leaves and consume plant juices. In large infestations, you’ll notice either pest congregating on the leaves. Aphids are readily visible, and spider mites will leave behind evidence of their feeding in the form of tightly woven webs and mite poop. 

You can blast the planting site with water to rip both mite and aphid mouthparts off their bodies and prevent further feeding. You can use neem oil if this doesn’t work after a few treatments. However, since these plants are such pollinator attractants, it may be best to hand-wipe the pests from your plants repeatedly instead.  

Diseases

A close-up of a plant with sticky stems due to Berseem stem infestation. The blurred background reveals a vibrant tapestry of lush greenery, offering a stark contrast to the affected plant's struggle for survival against the invasive pest.
Leaf blight and crown root are the only diseases that this plant is susceptible to.

Leaf blight and crown rot are the only diseases you may have to contend with in the bells of Ireland planting site. If you’re watering properly and keeping your plants out of humidity, the likelihood of either issue is greatly reduced. However, check for a rotted base if the plant begins wilting from the ground up. If one is present, remove the entire plant and dispose of it to prevent the spread. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bells of Ireland hard to grow?

The tiny flowers of these plants aren’t necessarily hard to grow, but they do require certain conditions to flourish.

Are bells of Ireland perennials?

They are hardy annuals in most regions, dying back in fall to seed out and return in spring.

Is bells of Ireland poisonous?

They’re not known to be poisonous.

Do bells of Ireland need full sun?

In their preferred hardiness range, they do. In areas that are warmer, keep them in a place with afternoon shade at least.

Do bells of Ireland spread?

In their native or hardiness range, they fill hillsides with their lovely shell or bell-shaped blooms due to their ability to self-seed annually.

Can bells of Ireland survive frost?

Most can take incidental light frost. After a few weeks of consistent frost, they’ll die back. This is part of their natural life cycle, though.

Should I pinch bells of Ireland?

It’s not necessary, but if you’d like to fill a vase with them, you can harvest them either when they are halfway open or fully open.

Do bells of Ireland reseed?

They do! But only in optimal climates.

Share This Post
A cluster of vibrant orange, yellow, red, and white flowers bloom with layered petals, surrounded by thick green foliage and soil beneath.

Flowers

15 Types of Ranunculus to Plant this Fall

If you want beautiful spring flowers, consider planting ranunculus corms this fall. Flower grower Briana Yablonski will share more than a dozen ranunculus varieties that will provide you with layers upon layers of delicate petals.

This colorado native wildflower has delicate, feathery green leaves and slender, hairy stems that support bell-shaped flowers with soft, lavender petals and bright yellow centers.

Flowers

21 Native Wildflowers for Colorado Gardens

Colorado’s famed wildflowers enliven the landscape in a flash of welcomed color. With showy blooms and textures that offer multi-season appeal, they withstand cold winters and offer numerous ecosystem benefits. Fall is the time to sow many of the native favorites. Join gardening expert Katherine Rowe in exploring the Centennial State’s native bloomers.

A close-up shot of a person's hand holding a flowering plant's sprouting tubers that is one process on how to overwinter begonias

Flowers

How to Overwinter Tuberous Begonias For Next Year

Often planted as an annual in a shade garden, tuberous begonias with their bright big rose-like flowers can also be used as a perennial. These types form underground tubers that can be lifted in the fall to store and are safe for growing in the following season. Find out how to overwinter your tuberous begonias for next year. Garden expert Wendy Moulton will take you through the steps to get it right.

A dense grouping of delicate white flowers with vibrant yellow centers, standing tall with thin green stems, set against a blurred background of lush foliage.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Wood Anemones

Would you like a beautiful low-growing wildflower for your woodland garden? Wood anemone is a spring-blooming perennial that will brighten a shaded plot with its delicate flowers. Join gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen as we introduce the wood anemone and everything you need to know to grow your own.

Dahlia tubers stored in a black plastic container in an autumn garden, prepared for overwintering.

Flowers

7 Dahlia Tuber Storage Problems to Avoid This Year

There is an art to storing dahlia tubers that keeps them healthy and ready to spring back into action when the weather warms up. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to uncover some mistakes you can avoid to keep your bulbs fresh and maintain their dormancy until spring.