Also known as Fritillary · 266 saves
Fritillaria
Fritillaria, the genus most gardeners know as fritillary. We track 10 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 10 most-saved Fritillaria varieties
4 species of Fritillaria
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Fritillaria in Sow
Save the Fritillaria you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Fritillaria
Whats common across all Fritillaria varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 10 most-grown of them.
The Fritillaria year
- PlantSeptember–November100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 4 inches deep in fall for spring bloom
- FertilizeMarch and April90% of varieties
Apply bulb fertilizer as new shoots emerge in late winter/early spring
- DivideJuly and August40% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 3-4 years after foliage dies back
- Spring CleanupJune and July40% of varieties
Cut back yellowed foliage to the ground once it has completely died back.
- DeadheadMay and June30% of varieties
Remove spent flowers; allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally
- Check for PestsMarch and April30% of varieties
Monitor for lily beetle damage on emerging stems and leaves
- StakeApril30% 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 |
| Slugs and snails | Chewed holes in emerging spring shoots and foliage | Apply iron phosphate bait around emerging shoots or collect pests manually at night |
| 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 10 distinct Fritillaria varieties. The most popular — ranked by 266 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Fritillaria grow in?
Across its varieties, Fritillaria covers USDA Zones 4–9. 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.