How to Grow Galanthus Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Snowdrop

Members of the Galanthus genus are usually grown as hardy bulbs and they are able to reach from 5 to 25 cm in height.

Plants have strap like leaves and come into bloom from the middle through to the end of winter.

Galanthus plants have white snow like flowers; this leads to their common name of Snowdrop.

How to Grow Snowdrop and other Galanthus Plants in the Garden

Snowdrop can be either grown from bulbs or seeds. Be aware that if growing snowdrops from seed that it will take at least three years until they will bear blooms.

If growing Galanthus plants from bulbs plant them at a depth of 7 to 8 cm (2.5 inches) and a spacing of about 10 cm (4 inches) towards the end of summer.

Ideally snowdrops will grow in an area of the garden that is partially shaded. Ideally plant into a heavy, moist soil of pH 6 to 8.

When growing from seed, sow snowdrops from fresh seed in the spring time at a depth of 6 mm (1/4 inch).

Snowdrop seed takes about a month to germinate at 15 to 18 degrees centigrade (59 to 64°F).

If you start snowdrops off indoors, then allow to grow for a full year. Transplant out into the garden in the summer.

Caring Guide

It is easy to care for Galanthus plant species such as Snowdrop.

They like a cool soil so supply a mulch if you live in a warm area. Feed with bone meal at the start of spring.

As snowdrops like a moist soil, keep them well watered in the growing season.

Once leaves start to wilt, allow them to die off completely before removing them. If the plant loses its vigour then divide it.

If you require more plants, then propagate snowdrops by division in the spring once flowering has completed.

I hope that you found this guide on how to grow grow Galanthus plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Sparaxis, Helianthus Plant, and Zephyr Lily plants.