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. They will compete with crocus to be the first flowers in bloom in your yard. 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”.

Winter Aconite Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: White and yellow.

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

Plant Height: Six to eight inches tall.

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial sunlight.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0.

Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7.

Toxicity: Toxic to humans, pets, and other animals.

Deer Resistant? Yes

Native To: Europe

Plant Type: Perennial

Botanical Name: Ranunculaceae

Other Names: Eranthis

Light Requirement

Grow Winter Aconite in full sun to partial shade. The plants will grow well under deciduous trees, as they do not yet have leaves during most of the growing and blooming period for these hardy flowers.

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.

Pruning Perennial Winter Aconite Plants

These plants need no general pruning During their growth cycle.

You may remove an occasional sick or dead leave, as needed. This helps to maintain a need and tidy appearance of the plants.

Insects and Plant Disease

Winter Aconite seldom has problems with insects or plant disease.

As previously stated, the Winter Aconite tubers can rot in wet, soggy soil. Avoid planting them in low areas where spring rain or snow runoff collects.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

Overwintering Eranthis Plants

There is little you need to do to overwinter these hardy perennials.

If you have not done so already, cut the plants back to the ground.

If you live in a colder region of the country where temperatures go below 0° F, add a thick layer of mulch to protect the tubers.

With the plants tucked away for the winter, you can now begin to dream of that late winter or very early spring day when you see them sprouting from the ground again. You may even see them sprouting up amidst a light layer of snow.