Have the snowdrops (almost) finished blooming? Time to make some more!

Propagating Snowdrops: When and How Can You Divide Snowdrops?

We love snowdrops! These beautiful plants with their delicate blooms always catch the eye, because not many other plants are blooming at this time of year (January–February). They’re often one of—if not *the* first—plants to bloom in the new year.

Snowdrops (Galanthus) take up very little space and are only visible early in the year. So you can never really have too many snowdrops! In fact, a whole field of snowdrops looks fantastic and is almost like something out of a fairy tale!

A good excuse to make more snowdrops…

How can you propagate snowdrops (and when)?

Propagating Snowdrops by Seeding

Snowdrops also spread by self-seeding. However, this process takes a very long time. If you want more snowdrops in your garden relatively quickly, dividing them is the best way.

When should you propagate snowdrops?

Once your snowdrops have finished blooming—or are about to finish blooming—it’s time to propagate them. You can even do this while they’re still in full bloom.

Propagating snowdrops is very easy. Simply dig them up, divide them, and replant them when they have (almost) finished blooming.

How do you propagate snowdrops?

Carefully dig up a clump of snowdrops, leaving all the leaves, roots, and any flowers still attached. A larger clump will often break apart naturally into nice, smaller clumps ready for replanting. If this isn’t the case, or if you want to create smaller clumps, gently pull the clump apart further. Don’t make a clump too small, because it will often take much longer for them to grow back to their full, lush size.

Replant the mother plant and plant your new snowdrops. Keep expanding your snowdrop colony, or start a new group elsewhere in the garden. Plant them at the same depth and don’t let them dry out. Snowdrops like slightly moist soil (especially when they’ve just been planted or moved).

If your snowdrops were planted (or divided) just last year, or if they consist of only a single plant, it's best to give them another year to grow.

If you divide and replant all the larger clumps regularly, you'll see a big difference in your garden after just 2–3 years.

Money-Saving Tip: Affordable Snowdrops

Potted snowdrops that you buy at the garden center are often perfect for dividing right away! If you buy them at the end of the season, you’ll have extra snowdrops in your garden quickly and affordably!