Nicean Snowflake (Acis nicaeensis)

Photo: Samuel GUIRAUDOUCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Nicean Snowflake Plant Care

Acis nicaeensis (Ardoino) Lledó, A.P.Davis & M.B.Crespo

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant is known for its beautiful star-shaped white flowers with green stripes, which are a striking contrast against its slender leaves. Originating from the Mediterranean region, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its unique and attractive appearance in garden settings.

🌼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 Nicean Snowflake?

Plant Nicean Snowflake in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–10b) 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.

Where Is the Nicean Snowflake Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Nicean Snowflake?

Nicean Snowflake (Acis nicaeensis) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Acis genus. Nicean Snowflake is native to south-eastern France.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Nicean Snowflake?

Water a young or newly planted Nicean 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 Nicean Snowflake Need?

Nicean Snowflake thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Nicean Snowflake Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Nicean Snowflake?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Nicean Snowflake?

Feed Nicean 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 Nicean 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.

Nicean Snowflake is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

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 Nicean Snowflake?

Nicean 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 Nicean Snowflake?

Prune Nicean 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 Nicean Snowflake in Winter?

Nicean Snowflake is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Nicean Snowflake?

Nicean 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 Nicean Snowflake Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Nicean 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 Nicean Snowflake?

Nicean 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 Nicean Snowflake Need?

Nicean Snowflake grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Nicean Snowflake is native to south-eastern France.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a – 10b

Keep exploring plants

Nicean 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.

Nicean 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 nicaeensis (Ardoino) Lledó, A.P.Davis & M.B.Crespo, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Pl. Syst. Evol. 246: 241 (2004)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Nicean 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.
  • Photo: Samuel GUIRAUDOU, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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