Black Cumin, Heirloom Herb Seeds

Black Cumin, Heirloom Herb Seeds — The Ancient Herb Found in Tutankhamun’s Tomb

Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) is one of the oldest and most revered medicinal and culinary herbs in human history — seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, and an Arab proverb declares it “a cure for everything except death.” Mentioned in the Bible as “fitches,” black cumin has been cultivated for over 3,000 years across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The aromatic seeds are used as a flavoring in soups, stews, curry powder, bread, and pastries. The plant itself is a delicate, beautiful annual with finely divided aromatic leaves and small white flowers. Low-growing plants seldom exceed 6 inches in height — an excellent front-of-border herb or container plant. A self-seeding annual that returns reliably once established. 95 days.

Why Grow Black Cumin?

• Found in Tutankhamun’s tomb — one of the oldest cultivated herbs in human history
• Aromatic seeds for cooking — essential in soups, curries, bread, and pastries
• Delicate, beautiful annual — finely divided leaves and small white flowers
• Compact low-growing plants — seldom exceeds 6 inches, excellent for borders and containers
• Self-seeding annual — returns reliably once established
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Growing Notes

Direct sow outdoors after last frost in full sun with well-draining soil. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, 4–6 inches apart. Thin to 6 inches. Keep soil consistently moist until established. Harvest seed heads when fully ripe and dry. Allow some plants to self-seed for next year’s crop.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.