Striped squill (puschkinia) Puschkinia scilloides
Striped squill (puschkinia) (Puschkinia scilloides) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family, native to Mountain meadows of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran and Lebanon. It grows 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall and 5–8 cm (2–3 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 7 cm (3 in) apart.
Plan Striped squill (puschkinia) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Striped squill (puschkinia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 10–15 cm (4–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 cm (2–3 in) |
| Spacing | 7 cm (3 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountain meadows of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran and Lebanon |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇷 Iran |
Is Striped squill (puschkinia) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: bulbs
Harmful if eaten, like other squills.
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 Striped squill (puschkinia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Striped squill (puschkinia)
- How far apart should I plant Striped squill (puschkinia)?
- About 7 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 cm (2–3 in).
- Does Striped squill (puschkinia) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Striped squill (puschkinia) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Striped squill (puschkinia)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Striped squill (puschkinia) flower?
- From about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Striped squill (puschkinia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Harmful if eaten, like other squills.
- What grows well with Striped squill (puschkinia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Striped squill (puschkinia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A small spring bulb: plant in autumn, about three times its own depth, under deciduous trees, in grass or in pots; let the leaves die down naturally after flowering so the bulb can feed for next year.
- Dense spikes of palest blue, almost white bells, each petal marked with a fine darker blue stripe, in early spring; faintly scented. Named after the Russian count Apollo Mussin-Pushkin, who collected in the Caucasus.
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
- Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
- Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
- Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
- Common bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Tuberose Agave amica (Polianthes tuberosa)
- Century plant (agave) Agave americana