Also known as Glory-of-the-Snow · 82 gardener saves
Chionodoxa: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Chionodoxa, the genus most gardeners know as glory-of-the-snow. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Chionodoxa varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGlory-of-the-Snow
Chionodoxa forbesii
#2 most savedBlue Giant Glory-of-the-Snow
Chionodoxa forbesii 'Blue Giant'
#3 most savedGlory of the Snow
Chionodoxa luciliae
How to grow Chionodoxa
What the Chionodoxa varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Chionodoxa year
- PlantSeptember–November100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 3 inches deep in well-drained soil during fall
- FertilizeFebruary100% of varieties
Apply bulb fertilizer as shoots emerge in late winter
- DeadheadApril67% of varieties
Remove spent flowers, but leave foliage intact until it yellows naturally
Do
- Water regularly during active growth 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Plant in well-drained soil 🌱
- Water during dry spells in early spring
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent rot ❌
- Do not disturb corms once established
- Avoid heavy, clay soils that retain excess moisture ❌
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Chionodoxa
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Slugs | Chewed leaves and flowers | Use organic slug pellets or beer traps |
| Bulb flies | Larvae damage bulbs causing decay | Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Botrytis (Gray mold) | Gray fuzzy mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Gray mold (Botrytis) | Gray fuzzy mold on leaves and stems | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if necessary |
| Botrytis | Gray mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
Making more Chionodoxa
Division
- Lift bulbs in late summer or early fall
- Separate offsets with clean knife
- Replant immediately at same depth
- Water well after planting
Corm division
- Lift mature corms after foliage dies back (late spring).
- Separate offsets with a sharp knife.
- Replant immediately in prepared soil, spacing 3 inches apart.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Allow 6 weeks for roots to establish.
Chionodoxa questions
How many types of Chionodoxa are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Chionodoxa varieties. The most popular — ranked by 82 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Chionodoxa grow in?
Across its varieties, Chionodoxa covers USDA Zones 4–8. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Chionodoxa bloom?
Most Chionodoxa varieties bloom in early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Chionodoxa should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Chionodoxa shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Chionodoxa in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
