Mignonette (sweet reseda) Reseda odorata
Mignonette (sweet reseda) (Reseda odorata) is an annual flowering plant in the Resedaceae family, native to North Africa. It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
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Mignonette (sweet reseda) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Resedaceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–12 weeks after planting, for 9–13 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 100 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | North Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Mignonette (sweet reseda) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mignonette (sweet reseda)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Mignonette (sweet reseda)
- How far apart should I plant Mignonette (sweet reseda)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Mignonette (sweet reseda) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mignonette (sweet reseda) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mignonette (sweet reseda)?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Mignonette (sweet reseda) flower?
- About 9–12 weeks after planting, for 9–13 weeks.
- Is Mignonette (sweet reseda) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Mignonette (sweet reseda)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mignonette (sweet reseda). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A hardy annual: sow where it is to flower in autumn or early spring, thin the seedlings, and let some plants set seed.
- Plain greenish flowers with a famous sweet perfume, once grown in London window boxes and sold by flower sellers, and used in French perfumery. It dislikes transplanting and acid soil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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