How to grow Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Nodding white bells in the depths of winter, spreading into drifts under trees and shrubs over the years. Easiest planted "in the green" just after flowering.

At a glance: Sow late August to early October.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow outdoors

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Growing Snowdrop: what it needs

Light: Part shade · 6+ hours a day
Watering: Water pots in dry spells while in leaf; keep drier when dormant
Soil: Well-drained soil or bulb compost
Spacing: 5–10 cm
Height: 10–15 cm
In pots: Grows well in containers
Feeding: Feed with a high-potash liquid feed as flowers fade
Hardiness: USDA zones 3–8

Step by step

Late August – early October · 9 weeks before the first autumn frost
Plant Bulbs
Plant 8 cm deep and 5–10 cm apart, pointy end up, in well-drained soil or pots. Water in.
100–150 days after “Plant Bulbs” · Late November – mid January
Look for Shoots
Green shoots should be showing. Keep pots moist but not wet and watch for slugs on young leaves.

Every year

February
In Flower
Your bulbs should be in flower — a good moment for a journal photo.
March
Deadhead and Feed
Snap off faded flower heads (not the leaves) and give a high-potash feed to build up the bulb for next year.
April
Let the Leaves Die Back
Leave the foliage for at least six weeks after flowering, until it yellows — don't knot or cut it. Then tidy it away.