Mendel’s Gardens

Galanthus nivalis

Snowdrop · Candlemas Bells

Family AmaryllidaceaeGenus Galanthus

About the plant

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

Safety

Toxicity
Low severity. Flowers, Leaves, Roots. Phenanthridine alkaloids.

The plant

Habit
BulbPlant Finder
Habit
Perennial, Forb/herbPLANTS Database
Height
0.5-0.75 ftPlant Finder
Spread
0.25-0.5 ftPlant Finder
Flower
Showy; whitePlant Finder
Blooms
FebruaryPlant Finder
Native range
EuropePlant Finder
Hardiness zones
3-7Plant Finder

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun to part shade
Watering
Medium

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

Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 1, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned for seven days.

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

    80% germinated here, in the 4th week.

7 days from start to sowing. Then 28 days to germinate.

80% germination in 28 days.

The best run Deno got. Germination was less without the seven-day wash.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, GalanthusPublic domain
Show the original text
Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae). Germination was hypogeal and largely at 40. When the 3 m cycle at 40 was over and the seedlings shifted to 70, the true leaf developed in a week or two. DS is deleterious but not completely fatal. G. nivalis germ. 70-40(45% in 2-5 w) and 40-70-40(80% in 4th w) in a sample WC for 7 d. Germination was less without the WC. Seed DS 6 m at 70 was dead, and seed DS 6 m at 40 was largely dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Galanthus. 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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around February 22, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned for seven days.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

    45% germinated here, in 2-5 weeks.

7 days from start to sowing. Then 35 days to germinate.

45% germination in 14–35 days.

Germination is hypogeal and happens at 40; the true leaf follows a week or two after the shift to 70.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, GalanthusPublic domain
Show the original text
Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae). Germination was hypogeal and largely at 40. When the 3 m cycle at 40 was over and the seedlings shifted to 70, the true leaf developed in a week or two. DS is deleterious but not completely fatal. G. nivalis germ. 70-40(45% in 2-5 w) and 40-70-40(80% in 4th w) in a sample WC for 7 d. Germination was less without the WC. Seed DS 6 m at 70 was dead, and seed DS 6 m at 40 was largely dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Galanthus. 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

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    Largely dead.

about 6 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

Deno gives no figure beyond 'largely dead'.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, GalanthusPublic domain
Show the original text
Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae). Germination was hypogeal and largely at 40. When the 3 m cycle at 40 was over and the seedlings shifted to 70, the true leaf developed in a week or two. DS is deleterious but not completely fatal. G. nivalis germ. 70-40(45% in 2-5 w) and 40-70-40(80% in 4th w) in a sample WC for 7 d. Germination was less without the WC. Seed DS 6 m at 70 was dead, and seed DS 6 m at 40 was largely dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Galanthus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    The seed was dead.

about 6 months from start to sowing.

0% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, GalanthusPublic domain
Show the original text
Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae). Germination was hypogeal and largely at 40. When the 3 m cycle at 40 was over and the seedlings shifted to 70, the true leaf developed in a week or two. DS is deleterious but not completely fatal. G. nivalis germ. 70-40(45% in 2-5 w) and 40-70-40(80% in 4th w) in a sample WC for 7 d. Germination was less without the WC. Seed DS 6 m at 70 was dead, and seed DS 6 m at 40 was largely dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Galanthus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.