Muscari botryoides
Genus Muscari
About the plant
What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
The plant
- Habit
- Bulb, Ground Cover, Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Height
- 4-6 in10-15 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Spread
- 2-6 in5-15 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Flower
- Purple/Lavender, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Blooms
- SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Hardiness zones
- 3-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Dappled Sunlight; Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Soil
- Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Soil pH
- Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Moisture
- Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.
Source: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.
This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.
Protocol 1
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on January 10, 2026.
- 1
Dry storage
Duration: 180 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 2
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 3
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 12 months from start to sowing. Then 90 days to germinate.
100% germination in 90 days.
Protocol 2
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.
- 1
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
5 germinated in this phase.
- 2
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
7 germinated in this phase.
- 3
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 9 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.
87% germination.
Protocol 3
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.
- 1
Dry storage
Duration: 180 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 2
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
- 3
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
15 germinated in this phase.
Steps after step 2 run on after germination.
about 9 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.
85% germination.
Protocol 4
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.
- 1
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 2
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
- 3
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
- 4
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
26 germinated in this phase.
Steps after step 2 run on after germination.
about 6 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.
74% germination.
How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.
