Photo: Rebecca JohnsonCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Summer Snowflake Plant Care
Leucojum aestivum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Leucojum aestivum, commonly called the summer snowflake, giant snowflake, Loddon lily and rarely snowbell and dewdrop among others, is a plant species widely cultivated as an ornamental. It is native to most of Europe from Spain and Ireland to Ukraine, with the exception of Scandinavia, Russia, Belarus and the Baltic countries.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Summer Snowflake?
Water Summer Snowflake every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. 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 Summer Snowflake Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Summer Snowflake?
Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Leucojum genus. Summer Snowflake is native to most of Europe from Spain and Ireland to Ukraine, with the exception of Scandinavia, Russia, Belarus and the Baltic countries. Summer Snowflake is also known as Summer Snowflakes, Great Snowflake, Giant Snowflake.
Summer Snowflake displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Summer Snowflake produces bell-shaped white flowers with green or yellow spots.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Summer Snowflake?
Leucojum aestivum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Summer Snowflake Need?
Summer Snowflake thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Summer Snowflake Prefer?
Leucojum aestivum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Summer Snowflake prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Summer Snowflake?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Summer Snowflake to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Summer Snowflake?
Feed Summer Snowflake every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Summer Snowflake?
Divide and repot every 3-5 years. 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 Summer Snowflake?
Summer Snowflake can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds.
Is the Summer Snowflake Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
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 Summer Snowflake?
Summer Snowflake 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 Summer Snowflake Need?
Summer Snowflake grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Summer Snowflake is native to most of Europe from Spain and Ireland to Ukraine, with the exception of Scandinavia, Russia, Belarus and the Baltic countries. In cooler regions, grow Summer Snowflake as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Summer 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 Leucojum genus — compare its care with other Leucojum species on PlantoScan.
Leucojum is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Summer Snowflake thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Leucojum aestivum L., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Syst. Nat. ed. 10 , 2: 975 (1759)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Summer Snowflake 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: Rebecca Johnson, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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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