Snake’s head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris
Snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Liliaceae family, native to Damp meadows of Europe. It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 5–10 cm (2–4 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 10 cm (4 in) apart.
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Snake’s head fritillary at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 5–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Spacing | 10 cm (4 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Damp meadows of Europe |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Snake’s head fritillary toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: bulbs, all parts
Contains steroidal alkaloids; bulbs are poisonous.
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 Snake’s head fritillary
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Snake’s head fritillary
- How far apart should I plant Snake’s head fritillary?
- About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–10 cm (2–4 in).
- Does Snake’s head fritillary need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Snake’s head fritillary need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Snake’s head fritillary?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Snake’s head fritillary flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Snake’s head fritillary poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains steroidal alkaloids; bulbs are poisonous.
- What grows well with Snake’s head fritillary?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Snake’s head fritillary. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Chequered purple (or white) nodding bells; naturalise in damp grass, mown after the seed is shed. Declining in the wild.
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
- Lily Lilium
- Tulip Tulipa gesneriana
- Crown imperial Fritillaria imperialis
- Toad lily Tricyrtis hirta
- Madonna lily Lilium candidum
- Regal lily Lilium regale
- Easter lily Lilium longiflorum
- Tiger lily Lilium lancifolium