Also known as Fritillary · 221 gardener saves
Fritillaria: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Fritillaria, the genus most gardeners know as fritillary. We track 9 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 9 most-saved Fritillaria varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSnake's Head Fritillary
Fritillaria meleagris
#2 most savedThunberg's fritillary
Fritillaria thunbergii
#3 most savedPersian Fritillary
Fritillaria persica
Crown Imperial
Fritillaria imperialis 'Red Crown Imperial'
Yellow Crown Imperial
Fritillaria imperialis 'Maxima Lutea'
Persian Fritillary
Fritillaria persica 'Adiyaman'
Crown Imperial
Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima'
Crown Imperial
Fritillaria imperialis
Crown Imperial
Fritillaria imperialis 'Persian Lily'
How to grow Fritillaria
What the Fritillaria varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Fritillaria year
- PlantAugust–October100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 4 inches deep in fall for spring bloom
- FertilizeFebruary and March100% of varieties
Apply bulb fertilizer as new shoots emerge in late winter/early spring
- DivideJune and July44% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 3-4 years after foliage dies back
- DeadheadApril and May33% of varieties
Remove spent flowers; allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally
- Spring CleanupMay and June33% of varieties
Cut back yellowed foliage to the ground once it has completely died back.
- StakeMarch33% of varieties
Provide support for tall flower stalks if in a windy location.
Do
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Tuck bulbs in well-draining soil 🌱
- Water during dry spells
- Mulch to protect roots
- Water during dry spells in the growing season 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent rot ❌
- Don’t plant in heavy clay soil without amendment
- Refrain from disturbing bulbs during dormancy
What goes wrong with Fritillaria
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Bulb fly | Wilting and rotting bulbs | Use organic neem oil or apply appropriate insecticide |
| Bulb mites | Stunted growth and bulb decay | Treat bulbs with a miticide before planting |
| Gray mold | Gray fuzzy mold on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs with foul smell | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Gray mold (Botrytis) | Gray fuzzy mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
Making more Fritillaria
Bulb division
- Dig up mature bulbs after leaves die back (late summer).
- Gently separate offsets with clean tools.
- Plant divisions immediately at the same depth as parent bulbs.
- Water thoroughly and mulch.
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after seed pods mature in late spring.
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in a cold frame or outdoors in fall.
- Keep soil consistently moist; germination may take 6–12 weeks.
Fritillaria questions
How many types of Fritillaria are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Fritillaria varieties. The most popular — ranked by 221 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Fritillaria grow in?
Across its varieties, Fritillaria 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 Fritillaria bloom?
Most Fritillaria varieties bloom in mid-spring, early spring, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Fritillaria 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
Fritillaria shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Fritillaria 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.
