Snowdrops | Planting & Caring for Galanthus Flowers

Snowdrop Care

Put snowdrop bulbs in soil that has been completely loosened beforehand, 3 inches deep. The bulb's thin end needs to be facing up. Before planting, include a bulb fertiliser to give the snowdrops the best possible start. Depending on where you reside, you can plant from early to late fall.

Light

Snowdrops appreciate full daylight and do require sunshine. Yet, because snowdrops flower so early in the spring, it's usually not an issue to give them enough sunlight: Before maple and oak trees have a chance to leaf out and give shade, they blossom. Growing snowdrops has the advantage of allowing you to place them in areas beneath huge, deciduous trees.

Soil

Grow snowdrops in a humus-rich, loose soil that drains well. They won't flourish in dense clay, like the majority of bulbs. Put the pointed ends in a soil that is well drained. One alternative is raised beds. When planting the bulbs 2 to 3 inches deep, be sure to incorporate a fertiliser rich in organic nutrients into the soil.

Water

In temperate areas, this plant doesn't need very moist soil; in warmer climates, it will need more water. Snowdrops should be planted at the same depth as they were before being lifted; look for a soil mark. Give the snowdrops plenty of water, then let the foliage naturally wither. If the weather is dry, keep giving the snowdrops regular waterings.

Temperature and Humidity

High temperatures and humidity are not good for snowdrops. They are typically not grown south of zone 7, for this reason. The bulbs may eventually lose vitality at the southernmost end of their range. They are more suited to the North, where they can withstand cold temperatures as high as zone 3.

Fertilizer

Before planting your bulbs, consider adding a bulb fertiliser to give your snowdrops a head start. Compost added in the late fall should supply the nutrients needed for the bloom the following year. Galanthus that grows naturally can manage pretty well on their own, but if they are planted in planter beds or other containers, they will benefit from a potassium-rich fertiliser. From the moment that the leaf appears until it starts to yellow and wilt, this should be applied every 7–10 days. 

Pruning

Never cut back snowdrops. Don't prune the snowdrops' leaves or remove their wasted blossoms. As the plant is prepared to become dormant, the entire plant will "die back" (above ground). This is one of the reasons snowdrops require so little upkeep.

Propagating

Snowdrops grow every year, have the potential to expand out over time, and frequently become a part of the natural environment. To multiply snowdrops, take advantage of this characteristic by lifting and dividing the bulbs. If not disturbed, snowdrop bulbs will grow and become a part of the environment. They may be dug up, divided, and transplanted with ease. After the foliage has fallen down in the middle to late spring through early autumn, you can dig them up at any time.

Growing Snowdrops from Seed

Snowdrops can technically be grown from seed, but very few people bother because it isn't worth the trouble. Almost always, consumers start their snowdrop patch by purchasing the bulbs. The cost of the bulbs is far too low to warrant spending the money on seed and the time and effort needed to grow new plants from seed. Snowdrops will self-seed to spread once you've begun a patch in the proper environment.