When should I plant the bulbs?

Plant them in the autumn before the ground freezes.

Do they need full sun?

They prefer partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.

Plant guide

Snakes head fritillary.

Fritillaria meleagris

Pronounced fri-ti-LAIR-ee-uh mel-ee-AY-gris

Also known as Fritillary, Guinea-hen-flower, Lazarus bell

snake's-head fritillary — Photo by M. Whitson (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming bulbous perennial is famous for its unique, bell shaped flowers with a distinct checkered pattern. It thrives in damp meadows and naturalizes beautifully in garden settings. You will love how these nodding blooms bring a touch of woodland magic to your spring landscape.

Another photo of Snakes head fritillary — Photo by Nick Butcher (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Bulbous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 12 to 15 inches
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant these bulbs in moist, well draining soil during the autumn months. Keep an eye out for lily beetles, as they can cause damage to the foliage. Ensure the soil stays consistently damp throughout the growing season for the best results.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced bulb fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks after blooming, but leave the foliage until it yellows.
Repotting: Divide clumps every few years if the plants become too crowded.
Soil: Moist, humus rich, well draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -25 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth compared to previous years

Safety

People: This plant contains alkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal distress if eaten.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep bulbs away from children as they are toxic if swallowed.
Contact allergens: Handling the bulbs may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are considered toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

Nodding bell shaped flowers
Purple and white checkered petals
Slender grass like foliage
Single flower per stem

Height: 0.2 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.05 to 0.1m
Leaves: green, gray-green, deciduous
Flowers: purple, white, checkered, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: autumn
Overwintering: The bulbs are hardy and do not require special protection, but ensure the soil does not become waterlogged during winter dormancy.
In containers: They grow well in pots if kept in a cool spot with consistently moist soil, using a minimum 15 cm diameter pot.

Division

1. Wait until the foliage has died back in late spring.
2. Carefully lift the clump of bulbs with a garden fork.
3. Gently separate the offsets from the parent bulb.
4. Replant the bulbs immediately at the same depth.

Pair these with low growing grasses to mimic their natural meadow habitat and provide support for the stems.

Grows well with

Snake's head iris · Both flower in spring, but this iris needs much drier, sharply drained soil, so grow it in a separate, drier spot.
Marsh marigold · Both plants thrive in the damp, boggy soil conditions this fritillary loves.

Similar species

Persian lily · A much larger relative with tall spikes of dark purple flowers.
Crown imperial · A dramatic, tall species with a ring of hanging flowers topped by a tuft of leaves.

Science

Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Fritillaria
Order: Liliales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Europe and western Asia.
Conservation: It is considered vulnerable in the wild due to habitat loss and is protected in several European countries.

It naturally inhabits damp meadows and river floodplains where it can tolerate seasonal waterlogging.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental, naturalizing in meadows

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I plant the bulbs?: Plant them in the autumn before the ground freezes.
Do they need full sun?: They prefer partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Fritillaria comes from the Latin word for a dice box, referring to the checkered pattern on the flowers. The species name meleagris refers to the guinea fowl, which has similar spotted markings.

Good to know

The name meleagris refers to the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl.
It is the county flower of Oxfordshire in England.
These bulbs prefer to be planted in soil that stays consistently moist.
They are one of the few bulbs that thrive in damp, grassy areas.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.