Herb: Snowdrop


Latin name: Galanthus nivalis


Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family)



Medicinal use of Snowdrop:

The plant is emmenagogue.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Bulb


Height:
20 cm
(7 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
February
to March

Habitat of the herb:

Shady pastures, woods and orchards, usually on damp soils. Probably native in Wales and W. England, but naturalized in other parts of Britain.

Propagation of Snowdrop:

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow the seed thinly so that there is no need to thin them. The seed usually germinates in the spring. Grow them on in the same pot in a cold frame for the first two years, giving an occasional liquid feed to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs whilst they are still in leaf in early summer of their second year's growth, putting about 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on in the cold frame for a further year before planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring whilst they are still in growth. The plants take about 4 years to flower from seed. Division of offsets. This is best done immediately after the plants have finished flowering (and still have green leaves) though it can also be done in late summer and early autumn when the plants are dormant. Scooping.

Cultivation of the herb:

Shady pastures, woods and orchards, usually on damp soils. Probably native in Wales and W. England, but naturalized in other parts of Britain.

Known hazards of Galanthus nivalis:

The bulb is somewhat poisonous

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.