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Leucojum aestivum

Giant Spring Snowflake · Loddon Lily · Snowdrop · Summer Snowflake

Family AmaryllidaceaeGenus Leucojum

White bells tipped with green, nodding on arching stems among blue-green strap leaves
FlowerMalcolm GinCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Bulb, Ground Cover, Herbaceous Perennial, PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
bulbous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
1-2 ft30-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
0.8-1 ft25-30 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Green, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, France and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around May 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on May 14, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    15 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 4 run on after germination.

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 56 days.

75% germination in 28–56 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Leucojum p. 166Public domain
Show the original text
Leucojum (Amaryllldaceae). Germination is hypogeal. L. aestivum germination was erratic and no consistent pattern emerged. Fresh seed germ. 70(20%)-40-70(12%)-40-70(40%) and 40-70-40-70(75% in 4-8 w)- 40(15%). Seed 05 6 m at 70 germ. 70(30% in 4-10 w)-40(8%) and 40(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Leucojum p. 166. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    20 germinated in this phase.

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    12 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

40% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Leucojum p. 166Public domain
Show the original text
Leucojum (Amaryllldaceae). Germination is hypogeal. L. aestivum germination was erratic and no consistent pattern emerged. Fresh seed germ. 70(20%)-40-70(12%)-40-70(40%) and 40-70-40-70(75% in 4-8 w)- 40(15%). Seed 05 6 m at 70 germ. 70(30% in 4-10 w)-40(8%) and 40(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Leucojum p. 166. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 30, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 29, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    8 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 70 days.

30% germination in 28–70 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Leucojum p. 166Public domain
Show the original text
Leucojum (Amaryllldaceae). Germination is hypogeal. L. aestivum germination was erratic and no consistent pattern emerged. Fresh seed germ. 70(20%)-40-70(12%)-40-70(40%) and 40-70-40-70(75% in 4-8 w)- 40(15%). Seed 05 6 m at 70 germ. 70(30% in 4-10 w)-40(8%) and 40(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Leucojum p. 166. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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