Snowdrop
Galanthus nivalis
An ornamental plant, planted February to March, May or October to November.
In September: nothing to do.
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Snowdrop, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant snowdrops in the green. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant snowdrop bulbs. | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Mulch the snowdrop. | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Lift and divide the snowdrop. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Planting
Plant snowdrops in the green February to March, or freshly lifted ones in May as the leaves die back, 6 to 8cm apart. Moderate sources: RHS and Sarah Raven.
Plant snowdrop bulbs October to November, 10 to 15cm deep, 10cm apart. Moderate sources: Gardeners’ World and Sarah Raven.
Mulch the snowdrop
Use well-rotted compost or leaf mould; leaf mould also covers young bulbs that rise to the surface.
Usually December to February. Moderate source: Sarah Raven.
Lift and divide the snowdrop
Usually February to March. Moderate source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
What not to do
Don’t cut the leaves off
Let snowdrop leaves die back on their own.
Moderate source: RHS.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Snowdrop” comes from.