Perennial · Iridaceae family
German iris
Iris ×germanica
In short a 10-second read
German iris (perennial) grows to 0.6–0.9 m tall and 0.3–0.6 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. It flowers in May–June; the flowers are purple, blue, white, yellow or orange. Hardy to −37 °C.
× spread 0.3–0.6 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −37 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, sandy, gravelly
Soil pH 6–7.5
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
May–June · purple, blue, white, yellow or orange
Pruning
prune after flowering (as needed); deadhead spent flowers (as needed)
Planting
division: July–September
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −37 °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.
wall germander
0.15–0.46 m
Common zinnia
0.15–1.2 m
Southern Globe Thistle
0.9–1.2 mReady-made Studio combinations that include German iris
Clipped lavender and wall germander with grey fescue — a neat edge…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does German iris flower?
In May–June; the flowers are purple, blue, white, yellow or orange.
Does German iris tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does German iris need?
At maturity 0.3–0.6 m wide and 0.6–0.9 m tall; recommended spacing 40 cm.
Does German iris survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (18)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Iris ×germanica
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Iris germanica
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Iris ×germanica
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Iris ×germanica
- Wikidata (CC0) — Iris ×germanica
- RHS - Iris germanica
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Cultivars / Varieties
- Iris Wiki (AIS)
- Iris Wiki (AIS)
- Iris Wiki (AIS)
- Iris Wiki (AIS)
- Iris Wiki (AIS)
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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