Turkish Crown Imperial (Fritillaria acmopetala)

Photo: Ben CostamagnaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Turkish Crown Imperial Plant Care

Fritillaria acmopetala Boiss.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This unique plant features narrow, lance-shaped leaves covered in a striking silvery pubescence. Originating from Turkey, Fritillaria acmopetala is highly sought after by plant collectors for its rarity and stunning, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of deep purple.

🌼Perennials🧅Bulbs & Tubers
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Turkish Crown Imperial?

Plant Turkish Crown Imperial in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 6a–9b) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Turkish Crown Imperial Native To?

Native range16 countries

What Is the Turkish Crown Imperial?

Turkish Crown Imperial (Fritillaria acmopetala) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Fritillaria genus. Turkish Crown Imperial is native to rocky limestone mountain slopes in the Middle East. Turkish Crown Imperial is also known as Kurdish Fritillary.

Turkish Crown Imperial displays a tall, elegant stem with nodding bell-shaped flowers growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Turkish Crown Imperial produces graceful bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple, white, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Turkish Crown Imperial?

Water a young or newly planted Turkish Crown Imperial every 7–14 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 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Turkish Crown Imperial Need?

Turkish Crown Imperial thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Turkish Crown Imperial Prefer?

Fritillaria acmopetala tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Turkish Crown Imperial prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Turkish Crown Imperial?

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Turkish Crown Imperial to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Turkish Crown Imperial?

Feed Turkish Crown Imperial 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 Turkish Crown Imperial?

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Turkish Crown Imperial is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 9b.

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 Turkish Crown Imperial?

Turkish Crown Imperial can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 Turkish Crown Imperial?

Prune Turkish Crown Imperial 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 Turkish Crown Imperial in Winter?

Turkish Crown Imperial is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, 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 Turkish Crown Imperial?

Turkish Crown Imperial can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to kamchatka fritillary plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Turkish Crown Imperial Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic to cats and dogs, can cause skin irritation in humans

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 Turkish Crown Imperial?

Turkish Crown Imperial is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Turkish Crown Imperial Need?

Turkish Crown Imperial grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Turkish Crown Imperial is native to rocky limestone mountain slopes in the Middle East.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 6a – 9b

Keep exploring plants

Turkish Crown Imperial 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 Fritillaria genus — compare its care with other Fritillaria species on PlantoScan.

Fritillaria is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.

Turkish Crown Imperial thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Fritillaria Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Fritillaria acmopetala Boiss., family Liliaceae (first published in Diagn. Pl. Orient. 7: 104 (1846)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Turkish Crown Imperial is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Ben Costamagna, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 9b, 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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