How to Grow and Care for Lace Flower Plant

The lace flower, Ammi majus, is an annual plant celebrated for its large, delicate flower heads. Often called False Queen Anne’s Lace, it produces intricate, white, umbrella-shaped blooms atop fine, feathery foliage. This plant is popular for adding a soft, airy quality to cottage-style gardens and mixed borders. Its long-lasting flowers are also valued by floral arrangers as a filler in bouquets.

How to Plant Lace Flower

Timing is a significant factor when planting lace flower. You can sow seeds directly into the garden in late autumn, which often results in larger, earlier-flowering plants. Alternatively, direct sowing can be done in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. Seeds can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date.

Lace flower performs best in a location that receives full sun, though it can manage in light shade. The soil must be well-draining to prevent waterlogged roots; amending heavy clay soils with compost improves its structure and drainage. When sowing directly, clear the area of weeds and debris before planting.

The seeds require only a light covering of soil, about 1/4 inch deep. After sowing, gently firm the soil and keep it consistently moist to encourage germination, which takes 7 to 25 days. Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves, they should be thinned or transplanted to a final spacing of 20-30 cm (about 12 inches) apart. This spacing provides adequate air circulation, which helps prevent disease.

Lace Flower Care Guide

Lace flower has straightforward care requirements, preferring consistent moisture. Regular watering is beneficial, especially during hot and dry spells, until the plants are well-rooted. After this point, they develop some tolerance for drier conditions but will perform better if the soil does not completely dry out. Maintaining evenly moist soil encourages the healthiest growth.

This plant does not require supplemental feeding and can thrive in average garden soil. Applying a fertilizer high in nitrogen is counterproductive, leading to weak, leggy stems and excessive foliage at the expense of flowers. If your soil is particularly poor, a light application of a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer early in the season is sufficient.

Provide support for the plant’s tall, slender stems, which can reach up to one meter in height. These stems can be susceptible to bending or breaking in strong winds or heavy rain. Staking individual plants or using a grow-through netting system, put in place while the plants are young, will offer the necessary support to keep the stems upright.

Common Pests and Diseases

Lace flower is relatively untroubled by pests, but it can attract aphids. These small, sap-sucking insects cluster on new growth and the underside of flower heads. A strong jet of water from a hose is often enough to dislodge them. For persistent infestations, an application of insecticidal soap can be an effective tool.

The most common disease concern for Ammi majus is powdery mildew, particularly in humid weather. This fungal disease appears as a white, dusty coating on the leaves. If powdery mildew does appear, removing affected leaves promptly can help slow its spread.

Harvesting Lace Flower Blooms

For use in floral arrangements, the timing of the harvest affects the vase life of the blooms. Cut the stems when the main flower umbel is almost fully open, but not completely flat. It is best to harvest in the cool of the early morning when the stems are fully hydrated.

Use sharp, clean snips to cut long stems, removing any lower foliage that would sit below the waterline in a vase. Placing the cut stems immediately into a bucket of cool water helps prevent wilting. This immediate hydration preserves the freshness of the flowers.

To maximize how long they last indoors, condition the flowers before arranging them. This involves placing the stems in a bucket of water with a commercial floral preservative and letting them rest in a cool, dark place for several hours. This process allows the stems to take up water, ensuring the flowers remain vibrant.