How to grow snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Galanthus nivalis · common snowdrop

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) — small bulbous perennial from Europe, up to 15 cm tall, with narrow grey-green leaves and single nodding, fragrant white flowers about 2.5 cm long; the short inner petals have a green mark at the tip. It flowers in late winter, often through the snow. Snowdrop grows best in partial shade and soil with pH 6–7.

Updated: October 28, 2026

When to plant snowdrop?

Plant in autumn, about a month before your first autumn frost, so the roots grow before winter; it flowers or crops the next season.

Dates for your city are on the frost dates page.

Frost dates · When to plant

Quick facts

Type	Flower
Latin name	Galanthus nivalis
Family	Amaryllidaceae
Also called	common snowdrop
Planted as	bulbs
Life span	perennial
Planting season	autumn
Light	Partial shade
Soil pH	6–7
Frost	tolerates light frost
Growth starts	140 days after planting
First flowers	7 days after growth starts
Flowering lasts	28 days
Grown in	Open ground

How long does snowdrop take from planting to flowering?

From planting to the first flowers: about 147 days, or 21 weeks.

Step	Day
Planting	0
Growth starts	140
First flowers	147
End of flowering	175

Days count from the day of sowing or planting, by the figures of the card.

Where does snowdrop grow?

225,920 records of the plant in gardens, fields and the wild worldwide; most photos come from Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, and France.

World map: where snowdrop has been recorded — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: KP Laer, benvancitters, Baransky Alexander, Inghild Lillebø-Voll (CC BY / CC0).

Snowdrop, Germany — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: KP Laer, benvancitters, Baransky Alexander, Inghild Lillebø-Voll (CC BY / CC0).

Snowdrop care by growth stage

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	—	—	—
Flowering	—	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Part shade is best, for example under deciduous trees, which let in sun while it flowers and shade it once they leaf out. It also grows in sun if the soil stays moist.

Soil

Moist but well-drained soil rich in humus, with leafmould or garden compost dug in; it must not dry out in summer, when the bulbs are dormant. pH about 6–7.

Care

Dry bulbs dry out easily, so buy them as soon as they are on sale in autumn and plant them at once, 5–8 cm deep and 5–8 cm apart, in groups of 25 or more. The RHS finds planting "in the green" — just after flowering, while the leaves are still green — or freshly lifted bulbs in late spring more reliable. Let the leaves turn yellow and die back on their own. In a good spot it spreads by offsets and seed; divide crowded clumps as the foliage yellows. Squirrels may dig up dry bulbs, and grey mould can attack in mild winters. Wear gloves when planting, as the bulbs can irritate skin. All parts, the bulbs most of all, are toxic to dogs and cats and cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Pests and diseases of Snowdrop

1 problem is recorded for snowdrop; it has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Diseases

Grey mould

Other plants of the Amaryllidaceae family

Snowdrop belongs to Amaryllidaceae; 10 other plants of this family have a guide here.

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Garden flowers · Perennial garden flowers · Bulbs to plant in autumn · Flowers for shade

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.