How to Grow Leucojum Plants

Guide to Growing Snowflake

p>Members of the Leucojum genus reach heights from 10 to 90 cm and are usually grown as hardy bulbs in the garden.

They have grassy leaves and carry clusters of small bell shaped snowy white flowers which bloom at any time of the year (dependent upon the species).

Some of the common names for Leucojum include Summer Snowflake, Snowflake, and Loddon Lily.

Leucojum vernum
Leucojum vernum by blumenbiene.

Summer Snowflake
Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) by wlcutler.

Leucojum Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Snowflake, Loddon Lily, Spring/Summer Snowflake.
Life Cycle: Hardy bulb.
Height: 4 to 36 inches (10 to 90 cm).
Native: Europe. Western Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 9.
Flowers: Species dependent: Autumn; Late in winter; Late in Spring.
Flower Details: White. Green or yellow spot on the tepal. Bell-shaped.
Foliage: Strap-like. Dark green.
Grow Outside: Usually grown from bulbs. Bulbs: 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm). Mid to late autumn. Spacing 6 inches (15 cm).
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Moist/damp. Wood-like soil. Tidy dead leaves only once they have withered completely. Divide every 6 or 7 years. Propagate: by planting bulblets in the autumn.
Miscellaneous: The genus name Leucojum comes from the Greek words for white (leukos) and violet (ion). Nine members recently reclassified and are now included in the Acis genus.

How to Grow Summer Snowflake and other Leucojum Plants

It is best to grow Summer Snowflake and other Leucojum members from bulbs outdoors. The bulbs should be burried at a depth of 8 to 10 cm at the end of autumn.

Leucojum can grow in either a sunny or partly shaded area of the garden, and like a dampish woodland like soil.

Caring for Leucojum

Once growing Leucojum should be divided every 6 to 7 years, remove dead leaves once fully withered.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Leucojum plants. Updated September 2020.

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