How to grow Common Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis

Partial Sun
High

Bulbs may take four or five years to flower from seed but as long as you mark the place carefully, you will be able to keep an eye on them.
Probably easier to buy mature plants ‘in the green’ just after flowering as this is the time when they are supposed to transplant most successfully

Growing Common snowdrop from seed

Collect seed in early spring as they ripen on the plant and plant into 7cm pots, covering only lightly. Use well drained compost, mixing it with a little vermiculite. Keep moist but leave the pot exposed to the weather all winter and the seeds should germinate in the spring

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

Transplanting Common snowdrop

Allow the seedlings to grow in in a sheltered position out of direct sun. Pot on if necessary, but there is little growth in the first season. Leave the pot exposed to the weather in the second winter and the plants will start to grow again in the spring.
Pot on as necessary,
Bulbs are slow from seed and it will take a few years before they are big enough to be planted in the garden and not get ‘lost’
Remember to keep damp during the summer and in a cool position out of the sun
Plant out in the flowering position in the third spring and mark the place carefully. Snowdrops are often naturalised on a bank or in a woody or wild part of the garden.

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

Seed Saving Common snowdrop

The seed pods swell during the spring and ripen in early summer. It is a good idea to mark the position of the bulbs with a cane, as by the time they are ripe, the grass has grown up to cover them. Collect the seed pods just before they are ready to burst and store in a paper bag until they are dry.

How long does Common snowdrop take to grow?

These estimates for how long Common snowdrop 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 snowdrop to germinate?: 143 days
Average 143 days | Min 85 days | Max 461 days (2)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Common snowdrop?: + days
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Days to Maturity How long until Common snowdrop is ready for harvest / bloom?: + 1747 days
Average 1747 days | Min 1747 days | Max 1747 days (2)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Common snowdrop?: = days

Misspellings: Snowdrops

Footnotes

¹ wikipedia.org