Growing Snowdrop Flowers – Step-by-Step Care Guide

If you are thinking of planting cold-hardy flower bulbs, the first option you can choose is snowdrop flowers. They are quite beautiful and can enhance your garden’s beauty.

I love to see snowdrops blooming when there are still dots of snow on the ground. They’re usually one of the first flowers of the new year in my garden, often blooming as early as February.
Read on for tips on planting snowdrops, seasonal care for snowdrop bulbs, why they’re an excellent choice for your garden and more.

What Are Snowdrop Flowers?

Common name: Snowdrop.

Botanical name: Galanthus sp.

Family: Amaryllidaceae.

Plant type: Perennial bulb.

Mature size: Six to 10 inches tall.

Bloom time: February and March. In warmer climates, they may bloom earlier.

Colors: White, occasionally tipped in green or yellow.

Best in: USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.

Toxicity: Snowdrop flowers are toxic to humans, dogs and cats. Deer won’t eat them. Wear gloves when handling bulbs or plants to avoid possible skin irritation.

Why Choose Snowdrop Flowers for Your Garden?

“Snowdrops traditionally represent hope. Their emergence is one of the first signs of spring,” says author Karen Azoulay in her book Flowers and Their Meanings: The Secret Language and History of Over 600 Blooms.

Snowdrops can naturalize in an area where the growing conditions are ideal, but aren’t generally considered invasive. These cold hardy flower bulbs can be a resilient and low-maintenance option for your garden.

According to the University of Wisconsin, “Snowdrops, Galanthus spp., are small, early-blooming perennial spring bulbs, even pushing through the snow in the coldest regions. Snowdrops were used as a folk remedy for various ailments and were likely moved from their original habitats in Central Asia throughout much of Europe and the British Isles by midwives and monks who used them for medicinal purposes.”

If you are from a chilly region, you should definitely go for snowdrops for your garden. These plants are generally less attacked by insects. Also, they are less prone to diseases. So, you need low-maintenance.

Varieties of snowdrops – the winter-flowering bulbs

If you are planting winter-flowering bulbs like snowdrops, you should know the varieties before planting. According to Jože Bavcon and Blanka Ravnjak, “If only around 80 varieties of the common snowdrop were known until 2001, in the following decades this number increased tremendously.” But two types are commonly planted in North American gardens.

Common snowdrops

The Common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, does well in Zones 3 through 7 and grows six to eight inches tall.

• Viride-Apic features a green dot on the edge of each petal.
• Flore Pleno has double white flowers.

Giant snowdrops

• The Giant snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii, thrives in Zones 3 through 8 and grows eight to 10 inches tall.
• 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 – The Ultimate Guide

Snowdrops are as easy to plant as any other bulb — maybe easier because the bulbs are small. Follow these simple steps to plant them successfully:

• Select a spot with partial to full shade—under deciduous trees works well.
• Ensure the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter (humus-rich).
• Plant snowdrop bulbs in early fall so they get the cold period needed for blooming.
• Plant about 4 inches deep.
• Space bulbs 2 to 4 inches apart. Plant several bulbs together in clusters for a fuller, more noticeable display.
• Do not water excessively after planting—too much moisture can rot the bulbs.

I’ve had good success waiting until the 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.

Tip: It is crucial to know how to grow snowdrops. The best time for planting snowdrop bulbs is the fall. If you plant them at this time, your bulbs can easily establish their roots. In winter, this process is difficult due to dormancy. Timely planted snowdrops will bloom beautifully in late winter or early spring.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with Snowdrops

Snowdrop slowers are known for early spring blooms. Well-maintained snowdrops can greatly enhance the beauty of your garden. Here are some care tips that you should follow:

Light

Snowdrops prefer full sun. A spot under deciduous trees works well because the snowdrops will get sun during winter and early spring.
Excessive direct sunlight can damage the snowdrops.

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. But sometimes they can be vulnerable. According to RHS, “Grey mould of snowdrops is a disease caused by the fungus Botrytis galanthina, causing leaves and flowers to collapse. A fuzzy grey mold forms under wet conditions.” Bulb Eelworm is a pest that can cause distorted foliage and deformed bulbs. Air circulation will help you deal with this problem. Also, you should definitely avoid overhead watering.

Note: Purchasing bulbs from reputable suppliers will help limit your exposure to pests.

How To Get Snowdrops to Bloom: Tips for Spring Blooming Perennials

You don’t need to do anything to get spring-blooming perennials like snowdrops to bloom! However, if you notice fewer blooms than normal, it may be because the bulbs have multiplied and are crowding each other out.

It would be great if you could replicate the natural habitat conditions of snowdrops. It will help your flowers bloom successfully.

How to Divide 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 them into individual bulbs, then replant each bulb. You may have enough to share with a friend.

FAQ

Do snowdrops smell?

Generally, snowdrops do not have any strong fragrance. The main reason behind this is that they grow in cold weather. Due to a lack of insects for pollination, they need bright colors to attract pollinators instead of the aroma.

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.

How to get snowdrops to bloom?

You don’t need to do anything to get spring-blooming perennials like snowdrops to bloom. However, if you notice fewer blooms than normal, it may be because the bulbs have multiplied and are crowding each other out. Replicating the natural habitat conditions of snowdrops will help your flowers bloom successfully.

Experts:

Carol J. Michel is an award-winning author of five gardening humor books and two children’s books. She has a degree in horticulture from Purdue University. Carol began writing about gardening on her eponymous website, which led to numerous magazine articles, her books and a podcast called The Gardenangelists.

Sources:

• RHS: “Snowdrop grey mould”
• NLM: “Biological Activities of Snowdrop (Galanthus spp., Family Amaryllidaceae)”
• NC State University: “Bulb growth parameters of wild geophyte, giant snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii Hook. f.) in different media and nutrient solution recipes”
• NLM: “New Cultivars of Galanthus nivalis in Slovenia”
• ResearchGate: “The Genus Galanthus: A Source of Bioactive Compounds”
• Penn State Extension: “January Birth Flower: Snowdrop”