Winter aconite Eranthis hyemalis
Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native to Woods of southern Europe (France to the Balkans); naturalised in Britain and northern Europe. It grows 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tall and 5–10 cm (2–4 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 7 cm (3 in) apart.
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Winter aconite at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Mature spread | 5–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Spacing | 7 cm (3 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Woods of southern Europe (France to the Balkans); naturalised in Britain and northern Europe |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Winter aconite toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, especially tubers
Contains cardiac glycosides and protoanemonin: poisonous 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 Winter aconite
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Winter aconite
- How far apart should I plant Winter aconite?
- About 7 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–10 cm (2–4 in).
- Does Winter aconite need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Winter aconite need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Winter aconite?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Winter aconite flower?
- From about February for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Winter aconite poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains cardiac glycosides and protoanemonin: poisonous if eaten.
- What grows well with Winter aconite?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Winter aconite. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) 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.
- Bright buttercup-yellow cups, each sitting on a green ruff of leaves, open in the depths of winter, often through snow, under deciduous trees. Grows from small knobbly tubers; best planted “in the green” after flowering.
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
- Hellebore (Lenten rose) Helleborus x hybridus
- Delphinium Delphinium elatum hybrids
- Common columbine Aquilegia vulgaris
- Japanese anemone Anemone hupehensis
- Larkspur Consolida ajacis
- Love-in-a-mist Nigella damascena
- Globeflower Trollius europaeus
- Christmas rose Helleborus niger