How to grow Common Primrose

Primula vulgaris

Dappled Sun
OR
Partial Sun
Medium

Flowers the spring following sowing. Remove old flower heads to promote more blooms, and prevent self sown seedlings that can be ‘coloured’ by cross pollination from commercially produced varieties
Clumps can be split to make new plantings after flowering
Plant out in a semi shade position

Growing Common Primrose from seed

Primroses will grow easily from seed. Start them in late to mid summer. Cover the seed only lightly, and separate the tiny seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle.
Grow on in individual pots until the autumn, them plant out in the flowering position

Soil temperature should be kept higher than 10°C / 50°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Common Primrose about 105 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Common Primrose

Use in borders and containers or naturalise on banks or under trees and shubs
Sun or partial shade. Well drained moist soil.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Common Primrose is a hardy plant.

Harvesting Common Primrose

Primroses are good for cut flowers and last well in a vase. Choose newly opened blooms to give a good display and this will also encourage new flowers to grow on the plant.

Seed Saving Common Primrose

Primrose hybridise easily and seed collected by not always come true. The wild, soft yellow flower colour is easily changed by cross pollination from vivid colours of commercial varieties.
Collect seed in mid summer as the seed capsules dry. Store in a paper bag in dry conditions or sow at once

How long does Common Primrose take to grow?

These estimates for how long Common Primrose takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Common Primrose to germinate?: 90 days
Average 90 days | Min 90 days | Max 90 days (1)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Common Primrose?: + days
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Days to Maturity How long until Common Primrose is ready for harvest / bloom?: + 155 days
Average 155 days | Min 84 days | Max 673 days (12)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Common Primrose?: = days

When should I plant Common Primrose?

Our when to plant Common Primrose estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Common Primrose before or after your last frost date.: 105 days before Last Frost Date

Common Primrose Etymology

The botanical epithet is from the Latin vulgaris meaning “common” ²

Other names for Common Primrose

Primrose

Primula

Footnotes

¹ http://www.pfaf.org

² Wiktionary entry for vulgaris