Auricula Primula auricula
Auricula (Primula auricula) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Primulaceae family, native to Alps and Carpathians (limestone rock crevices). It grows 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall and 15–25 cm (6–10 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Auricula in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Auricula at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Primulaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 cm (4–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Alps and Carpathians (limestone rock crevices) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Auricula toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves
Primula leaves can cause skin irritation in sensitive people; mild stomach upset if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Auricula
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Auricula in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (16 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (11 plants)
Questions about Auricula
- How far apart should I plant Auricula?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 cm (6–10 in).
- Does Auricula need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Auricula need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Auricula?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Auricula flower?
- From about April for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Auricula poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Primula leaves can cause skin irritation in sensitive people; mild stomach upset if eaten.
- What grows well with Auricula?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Auricula. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Alpine: needs sharp drainage (scree, gravel or a rock-garden pocket) and resents winter wet more than cold.
- Fleshy, often mealy (farina-dusted) leaves; fragrant yellow flowers in umbels. Parent of the show auriculas of "auricula theatres".
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Primrose Primula vulgaris
- Ivy-leaved cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium
- Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia
- Cowslip Primula veris
- Giant Himalayan cowslip Primula florindae
- Florist’s cyclamen Cyclamen persicum
- Coral ardisia (manryō) Ardisia crenata
- Japanese primrose (kurinsō) Primula japonica