Bulb · Amaryllidaceae family
common snowdrop
Galanthus nivalis
In short a 10-second read
Common snowdrop (bulb) grows to 0.1–0.25 m tall and 0.08–0.15 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in February–March; the flowers are white. Hardy to −40 °C.
× spread 0.08–0.15 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −40 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, humus-rich, loamy
Soil pH 5.5–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
February–March · white
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove the leaves once they have turned yellow (May–June).
Planting
bulb: September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −40 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does common snowdrop flower?
In February–March; the flowers are white.
Does common snowdrop tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does common snowdrop need?
At maturity 0.08–0.15 m wide and 0.1–0.25 m tall; recommended spacing 10 cm.
Does common snowdrop survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 15 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (15)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Galanthus nivalis
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Galanthus nivalis
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Galanthus nivalis
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Galanthus nivalis
- Wikidata (CC0) — Galanthus nivalis
- EPPO Global Database — Galanthus nivalis
- RHS - Bulbs: growing guide
- RHS - Galanthus nivalis
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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