Autumn Snowflake Plant Care

Acis autumnalis (L.) Sweet

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Acis autumnalis, the autumn snowflake, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. A short bulbous perennial, it is found on the western shores of the Mediterranean, from Portugal, Spain and Morocco to Sicily and Tunisia.

🌼Perennials🧅Bulbs & Tubers
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Autumn Snowflake?

Plant Autumn Snowflake in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Autumn Snowflake?

Autumn Snowflake (Acis autumnalis) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Acis genus. Autumn Snowflake is also known as Summer Snowflake.

Autumn Snowflake displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Autumn Snowflake produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Autumn Snowflake?

Water a young or newly planted Autumn Snowflake every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Autumn Snowflake Need?

Autumn Snowflake thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Autumn Snowflake Prefer?

Acis autumnalis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Autumn Snowflake prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Autumn Snowflake?

Well-draining sandy soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Autumn Snowflake to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Autumn Snowflake?

Feed Autumn Snowflake every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Autumn Snowflake?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Autumn Snowflake is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Autumn Snowflake?

Autumn Snowflake can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Autumn Snowflake?

Prune Autumn Snowflake while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Autumn Snowflake in Winter?

Autumn Snowflake is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Autumn Snowflake?

Autumn Snowflake can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fabre's snowflake plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Autumn Snowflake Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Autumn Snowflake, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

Toxic to cats and dogs.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Autumn Snowflake?

Autumn Snowflake is susceptible to aphids, thrips, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Autumn Snowflake Need?

Autumn Snowflake grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Autumn Snowflake as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Autumn Snowflake is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Acis genus — compare its care with other Acis species on PlantoScan.

Acis is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.

Autumn Snowflake thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Acis Species

Other Acis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Acis autumnalis (L.) Sweet, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Brit. Fl. Gard. 3: t. 297 (1829)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Autumn Snowflake, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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