Black Adder

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Velvety, darkly aromatic spikes of Black Adder rise with an inky, licorice-tinged fragrance that feels almost velour-soft in the garden air.

The foliage is richly textured and deeply green, setting off slender, bottlebrush-like flower wands that mature to a dramatic, near-black tone with cool, herbal complexity. Grow Black Adder for aromatic bouquets, fragrant sachets, and bold flavor in herbal infusions and savory blends—an herb that brings both beauty and character to every planting.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Adder’s licorice-leaning, cool-herbal character reads like a cross between mint and anise when you use it fresh or as a tight-steep infusion. Handle it like a delicate spice—short steep times and light chopping keep the aroma bright instead of turning medicinal.

Best Uses

strong herbal infusion for tea or spritz (steep briefly for clean top notes)
savory rubs and spice blends for lamb, pork, and mushrooms
chopped leaf finishing on roasted vegetables or grain bowls
vinegar or simple-syrup flavoring for cocktails and shrub-style drinks

Flavor Profile

inky licorice-tinged aroma cool herbal mintiness velvety, fragrant leaf bite

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey lamb black pepper cucumber goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I deal with powdery mildew on Black Adder (common in warm, humid weather)?

Check leaves mid- to late-season for a gray-white powdery coating, especially on lower foliage. Remove the worst affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the soil line (not overhead). If it keeps spreading, spray with a labeled potassium bicarbonate or horticultural sulfur product, reapplying according to the label at the first sign of new spots.

How often should I water Black Adder during peak growth to keep plants from stalling?

During the main growth phase (after seedlings establish), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week depending on your soil and heat. In hot spells, water every 2–3 days, ensuring water soaks down rather than just wetting the surface. If plants droop by afternoon, feel the soil: only water if the top inch is drying out; avoid daily light watering that encourages shallow roots.

When is Black Adder ready to harvest, and how do I know?

Harvest at about 70 days when pods are fully formed and the surface is glossy and uniformly colored for the variety—pick when pods snap easily or are tender rather than tough. For best flavor, harvest in the morning, and don’t wait for over-mature, dull-looking pods. If your plants are bushy, inspect daily for the first pods that meet the glossy/tender stage and remove them to keep new pods forming.