Dogtooth Violet Plant Care
Erythronium dens-canis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Erythronium dens-canis, the dog's-tooth-violet or dogtooth violet, is a bulbous herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Liliaceae, growing to 25 cm (10 in). It is native to central and southern Europe from Portugal to Ukraine.
Partial shade to full shade
At a glance
How do you care for Dogtooth Violet?
Dogtooth Violet grows best in partial shade to full shade.
Where Is the Dogtooth Violet Native To?
What Is the Dogtooth Violet?
Dogtooth Violet (Erythronium dens-canis) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Erythronium genus. Dogtooth Violet is native to central and southern Europe from Portugal to Ukraine. Dogtooth Violet is also known as European Dogtooth Violet, Fawn Lily.
Dogtooth Violet displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Dogtooth Violet produces showy, nodding flowers in shades of white, pink, or yellow.
What Light Does the Dogtooth Violet Need?
Dogtooth Violet thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Dogtooth Violet in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dogtooth Violet?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Dogtooth Violet to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Dogtooth Violet?
Repot every 2-3 years in early fall. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Dogtooth Violet?
Dogtooth Violet can be propagated through division of bulbs, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to trout lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Dogtooth Violet Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Dogtooth Violet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Dogtooth Violet?
Dogtooth Violet is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Dogtooth Violet 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 Erythronium genus — compare its care with other Erythronium species on PlantoScan.
Erythronium is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.
Dogtooth Violet copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Erythronium Species
Other Erythronium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Erythronium dens-canis L., family Liliaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 305 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dogtooth Violet, 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.
- 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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