Plant snowdrop flower bulbs in fall and enjoy their first flowers in late winter.
I love to see snowdrops blooming in my garden when there are still dots of snow on the ground, often as early as February. These white and occasionally green or yellow-tipped flowers can certainly brighten a dreary winter day. And with their beauty, snowdrops also bring a few unique perks.
“Snowdrops are perfect for beginners because they require minimal care once planted, except for regular watering during dry spells and fertilizing once a year,” explains Annette Hird, a seasoned horticulturist with nearly 20 years of experience and founder of the gardening website Easy Urban Gardens. “They’re also one of the first flowers to appear after the cold winter so they provide food for pollinators when other sources may be scarce.”
Here’s how to be sure to have success when planting snowdrops, plus care tips and answers to common questions about these popular flowers.
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What Are Snowdrops?
Snowdrop flowers, Galanthus sp., are a perennial bulb plant that is part of the amaryllidaceae plant family. They grow to a mature size of 6 to 10 inches tall and usually bloom in February and March. They do best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8, and in warmer climates, they may bloom earlier.
While deer and wildlife do not typically eat snowdrops, they are considered a toxic flower to humans, dogs, and cats so any pets or small children should be kept away from them, Hird notes. You should wear gloves when handling bulbs or plants to avoid possible skin irritation.
Varieties of Snowdrops
There are two types of snowdrops commonly planted in North American gardens: the common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, which does well in Zones 3 through 7 and grows six to eight inches tall, and the giant snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii, which thrives in Zones 3 through 8 and grows 8 to 10 inches tall. Here are a few popular varieties of both types:
Common snowdrop varieties:
- ‘Viride-Apic’ features a green dot on the edge of each petal.
- ‘Flore Pleno’ has double white flowers.
Giant snowdrops varieties:
- ‘Mount Everest’ grows quickly and is good for naturalizing (letting it spread to form a nice patch of flowers).
- ‘Polar Bear,’ with outward-facing flowers, grows four to eight inches tall.
How to Plant Snowdrops
Snowdrops are as easy to plant as any other bulb — maybe easier because the bulbs are small. “Snowdrops are pretty and look great when planted en masse,” Hird says. “They’re especially good for woodland gardens and will spread to fill in bare spots.” Here are a few tips to ensure success:
- When to plant snowdrops: In fall, plant as soon as you buy them. Snowdrops don’t like to be out of the ground for too long.
- How deep to plant snowdrops: Plant about four inches deep. Space them about two to four inches apart and plant several together. They’re small flowers; a single one would get lost.
- Potting snowdrops: I’ve had good success waiting until foliage appears, then carefully digging up a few snowdrops and potting them up to bring inside to flower. This only works if the ground isn’t frozen. If the ground has frozen, enjoy your snowdrops when they bloom in the ground.
How to Care for Snowdrops
Snowdrops are low-maintenance flowers which is a bonus. You also don’t need to do anything to get snowdrops to bloom! However, if you notice fewer blooms than normal, it may be because the bulbs multiplied and are crowding each other out. Here are a few more tips for caring for snowdrops:
- Light. Snowdrops prefer full sun. A spot under deciduous trees works well because the snowdrops will get sun during winter and early spring.
- Soil. Choose loose, well-draining soil, enriched with organic matter.
- Water. Snowdrops generally don’t need to be watered. Between snow melt and rain, they’ll get enough moisture for their needs.
- Fertilizing. In most gardens, you don’t need to provide any special fertilizer. Adding compost when planting is often enough.
- Pruning. Snowdrops don’t need to be pruned. Let the foliage die back naturally in spring. Of course, you can cut off a few snowdrop blooms to enjoy indoors.
- Pests and diseases of snowdrops. Snowdrops are rarely bothered by pests and diseases in most gardens.
- Dividing snowdrops: Snowdrops are easy to divide in spring while the foliage is still growing, after they’ve finished flowering. Carefully dig up a section of snowdrops, divide it into individual bulbs, then replant each bulb. You may have enough to share with a friend.
FAQ
Are snowdrops invasive?
Snowdrops aren’t generally considered invasive, however, since they spread easily, this means getting rid of them can be difficult, especially if there are any bulbs left in the ground since they continue to grow, Hird says. With this in mind, be sure plant in areas where they can spread and to carefully count your bulbs.
What do snowdrop flowers represent?
In her book Flowers and Their Meanings: The Secret Language and History of Over 600 Blooms, author Karen Azoulay says snowdrops traditionally represent hope. Their emergence is one of the first signs of spring.
Do snowdrops smell?
No.
Can you grow snowdrops from seeds?
Yes, but it’s tricky and probably best left to those trying to breed new varieties. It can take up to four years for a snowdrop grown from seed to bloom.
What are lovers of snowdrops called?
In many parts of the world, especially Great Britain, gardeners who go crazy for snowdrops are called galanthophiles. They collect as many varieties as they can and plan special trips in February to visit gardens known for their snowdrop displays.
About the Expert
Annette Hird is a seasoned horticulturist with nearly 20 years of experience and founder of the gardening website Easy Urban Gardens. She is based in beautiful Queensland, Australia, where she earned her degree in horticulture from the University of Queensland Gatton, a combined agricultural college and experimental farm.
