Overview of Snowdrops

Snowdrops, Galanthus spp., are small, early-blooming hardy perennial spring bulbs, even pushing through the snow in the coldest regions. The name Galanthus comes from the Greek gala (= milk), and anthos (= flower), referring to the color of the flowers and providing another rarely used common name of milkflower. There are about 19 species of Galanthus, which is the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), and all are native to the woods and wet, alpine grasslands of cool mountainous regions of southern Europe and Asia Minor. Most species are hardy to zone 5 but some can overwinter in zone 2. Snowdrops were used as a folk remedy for various ailments and were likely moved from their original habitats in Central Asia throughout much of Europe and the British Isles by midwives and monks who used the plants for medicinal purposes.

Snowdrops are not showy plants, producing delicate-looking, solitary, pendant, white flowers. The waxy blooms have six petal-like segments (botanically tepals). The three outer ones are always longer than the inner ones and are solid white, with inner ones are notched at the tip and marked with green around this notch. The plants have two or three dark green, strap-like leaves that grow 4 to 10 inches tall. The leaf tips are thickened sort of like a nail on a finger, protecting the flower bud as they push through the soil.

Common snowdrop, G. nivalis, has 4 inch leaves that are ¼ inch wide and produces 1 inch long flowers. It originated in eastern Turkey, the Caucasus, northern Iraq and western Iran and is hardy to zone 3.

Cultivars of Common Snowdrops

There are numerous cultivars of common snowdrop (one book has 500 listed – most only available in Europe). Some of the more distinctive and readily available varieties include:

• ‘Atkinsii’ (or ‘James Backhouse’) – robust grower that frequently has deformed flowers or extra petals
• ‘Flore Pleno’ – double flowers, excellent for naturalizing in woodlands
• ‘Sam Arnott’ – large flowered and fragrant
• ‘Viridi-apice’ – outer segments green blotched, and more robust than the species
• ‘White Dream’ – has a white stripe on its leaves

Other Snowdrop Species

Giant snowdrop, G. elwesii, is not as hardy, surviving reliably only to zone 4 or 5 but is still a vigorous plant. It has wider leaves (to 1 inch) and larger flowers (1 ¼ to 2 inches) with a more conspicuous green blotch than common snowdrop. This species withstands hot weather better than common snowdrops.

Other species, not commonly available for purchase, include G. byzantinus (native to western Turkey) with longer leaves and smaller flowers, hardy to zone 5 and a better choice for southern gardens; G. plicatus, Crimean snowdrop, with broad leaves folded back at the edges; the Greek species G. reginae-olgae which blooms in the fall and is hardy to zone 5; and G. woronowii (often labeled G. ikariae latifolius in commerce) from Russia, the Caucasus, and adjacent parts of Turkey and Iran, with recurved foliage and is listed by some as hardy to zone 2.

Snowdrops are sometimes confused with snowflakes (Leucojum spp.), which also have white flowers with green markings. However, Leucojum plants are usually taller, have 2 to 3 flowers per stem and their tepals are the same length.

Landscape Use of Snowdrops

Snowdrops look best when at least three or four plants are planted together. Plants are best situated near walks, pathways, or in elevated gardens where their delicate beauty can be better appreciated. Also, since they bloom when the weather is often still quite cool, place them where they are visible from the house.

Snowdrops are attractive set against evergreens or interplanted in groundcovers or with low-growing evergreen perennials such as candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) or spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum). They can be placed under deciduous trees or shrubs, at the edge of the border or woodland areas or even in lawns (but that area should not be mowed until the foliage has matured, about 6 weeks after blooming). Because of their small size, snowdrops are also ideal for rock gardens. Combine them with other early-blooming bulbs such as winter aconite (Eranthus hyemalis), Siberian squill (Scilla siberica), glory-of-the snow (Chionodoxa), and early, small daffodils such as ‘Tête-á-tête’ or ‘Jack Snipe’. They can even be used in containers and for forcing.

General Care of Snowdrops

Grow snowdrops in a location that has full sun during the spring when the foliage is present. Plants prefer well-drained soil with a good organic matter content. Plant bulbs early in the fall after the soil has cooled – generally when nighttime temperatures are 40 to 50 ºF. Space the bulbs 3 inches apart and plant them 3 inches deep. Fertilize in early spring when shoots first appear or after blooming is complete. Allow the foliage to die back naturally after blooming. When possible, allow the soil where the bulbs are planted to dry out in the summer.

Propagating Snowdrops

Snowdrops do not multiply as readily as some of the other small bulbs, often taking a few years to become established, but eventually they will form large, compact colonies if left undisturbed. Snowdrops may produce new plants from seed, taking about 4 years to bloom, or they can be propagated by digging and dividing the bulbs immediately after flowering while the foliage is still green. Replant the bulbs immediately after digging. These bulbs have few pests and usually are not bothered by deer, rabbits, voles, or other rodents.

– Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin

Last Update: Bruce Spangenberg, UW-Madison Extension 2025