How to Grow Winter Aconite (Eranthis)

About Growing Winter Aconite in Your Home Flower Garden

Growing Winter Aconite provides a bright splash of color as the snow recedes in your yard. It is an early spring bloomer. It’s one you might see bloom amidst the receding snow. Also called Eranthis, perennial Winter Aconite tubers are native to Western Europe. Grow these miniature flowers singly, or en masse in your flowerbed. They also look great in borders, rock gardens, along walkways, or naturalized,

Looking for a deer-resistant flower? Deer will not bother your Winter Aconites.

Did You Know? Eranthis is the Greek word for “spring flower”.

Flowers Bloom: Late winter to very early spring, shortly after the soil begins to thaw.

Flower Colors: Yellow, white

Plant Height: 6 to 8 inches tall.

Perennial, Renunculaceae

Winter Aconite Plant Propagation

Winter Aconite flowers are propagated by tubers. If you do not have any Eranthis, then, a trip to your local garden store for tubers is in order.

Select a location where the plants can grow for many years. Plant new tubers 2-3 inches deep in late summer or in the fall.

You can also propagate plants by division. Dig them up after the blooming period, divide the tubers into clumps, and replant them in their new home. If you have extra, gardening friends will love Winter Aconite. Give them a clump or two.

How to Grow Winter Aconite Flower Plants

Perennial Winter Aconite is easy to grow. They will do well in shady areas, with preferred light levels ranging from full sun to partial shade. Try growing them under deciduous trees, where little else will grow after the leaves of the tree return the area to heavy shade.

Garden Tip: Soak tubers overnight in water.

The plants do best in cold, moist, rich soil. However, avoid planting them in areas where the soil is soggy in the spring, as the tubers can rot.

After the blooming period, allow the plant to continue to grow, to “re-charge ” the tubers for next year. After the plant has died back, you can remove the dead leaves. But, do not disturb the tubers.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0.