Does it need full sun?

Yes, it thrives in full sun and requires excellent drainage.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It grows well in alpine troughs or containers with very gritty, well-draining soil.

Plant guide

Edelweiss.

Leontopodium nivale

Pronounced lee-on-toh-POH-dee-um nih-VAH-lee

Also known as Edelweiss

Edelweiss is a charming alpine flower known for its fuzzy, star shaped blooms. It thrives in rocky, high altitude environments where it handles harsh conditions with ease. You will love its unique, woolly texture that helps it retain moisture in the mountains.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 6 to 12 inches
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 7
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Plant this beauty in gritty, well draining soil to mimic its native rocky habitat. Watch for soggy roots, as they are very prone to rot if the soil stays wet. Keep it in a spot with plenty of sun and good airflow to keep it happy.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings to prevent root rot.
Feeding: Apply a light, balanced fertilizer sparingly during the spring growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead foliage in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound, using a very gritty alpine soil mix.
Soil: Rocky, sandy, well draining
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -25 to 25°C
Humidity: 30 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface of the soil.
The plant appears stunted in its growth.

Safety

People: There are no reports of toxicity in humans, but it is not intended for consumption.
Children: The plant is not toxic, but the small size and hairy texture may be irritating if handled excessively by small children.
Contact allergens: The fine, woolly hairs on the leaves can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Star shaped white flower heads
Dense woolly white hairs
Narrow lance shaped leaves
Low growing clumping habit

Height: 0.05 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.25m
Leaves: silver, gray, deciduous
Flowers: white, cream, 3 to 8cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
Gray MoldUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your edelweiss from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Ensure the plant is kept dry during winter to prevent crown rot. A layer of grit around the base helps keep the foliage off damp soil.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, provided you use a very gritty, fast-draining alpine soil mix in a pot at least 15 cm wide.

Seed

1. Sow seeds on the surface of a gritty, moist seed mix in early spring.
2. Keep in a cool, bright location.
3. Germination can be slow and erratic.

Division

1. Carefully lift the plant in early spring.
2. Gently tease the root clump apart.
3. Replant immediately into well-draining soil.

Pair with other slow-growing alpine plants to prevent them from being crowded out.

Grows well with

Alpine Aster · They share similar requirements for rocky, well-drained soil.
Creeping Phlox · This provides a nice color contrast and thrives in similar alpine conditions.

Similar species

Silver Sage · It offers similar silver foliage but is much more vigorous.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Leontopodium
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: High mountain ranges of Europe, including the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, Apennines and Balkans.
Conservation: Edelweiss is protected in many parts of its native range due to historical overcollection.

It survives in thin, rocky, nutrient-poor soils at high altitudes by utilizing its dense, woolly hairs to protect against cold and desiccation.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: rock gardens, alpine troughs, dried flower arrangements

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 2/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: Yes, it thrives in full sun and requires excellent drainage.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It grows well in alpine troughs or containers with very gritty, well-draining soil.

Where the name comes from

The scientific name Leontopodium means lion's foot, referring to the shape of the flower head. The common name Edelweiss is derived from the German words for noble and white.

Good to know

It is the national flower of Switzerland and Austria.
The name comes from the Greek words for lion and foot.
It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
The woolly hairs help the plant retain moisture in harsh alpine winds.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your edelweiss growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

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.