What is this plant?
Although the name Scilla originates from the ancient Greek sea monster of the same name — depicted with six serpentine heads and two dolphin tails — the plant itself is neither frightening nor dangerous. On the contrary, scilla has a charming appearance that beautifully brightens up any space.
Origins and History
In reality, the seeds — and the plants that subsequently grew from them — did not originate in Siberia at all, but rather in Tsaritsyn (modern-day Volgograd, Russia). Later on, scilla was also incorrectly classified under the Hyacinthaceae and Liliaceae families.
Inconsistencies in botanical literature can still be found today; however, ongoing research into this plant has provided accurate information regarding its species, characteristics, and care requirements.
Appearance
The flowers are small, either growing solitary or gathered in clusters (inflorescences). The perianth consists of six oval-shaped blue or light-blue petals up to 0.4 inches (10 mm) long, along with a pistil and an ovary. Petal colors can vary depending on the specific plant variety.
For instance, the Japanese scilla (Scilla scilloides) produces delicate pink flowers. After blooming, the plant forms a seed capsule filled with numerous small, oval-shaped black seeds.
Varieties
Spanish Bluebell (Scilla campanulata)
An early spring plant reaching 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) in height, producing blue, pink, or white flowers. It earned its common name because its bell-shaped flowers grow in loose, raceme-like clusters along the stem. *(Note: Often classified today as Hyacinthoides hispanica).*
Alpine Squill (Scilla bifolia)
Sometimes referred to as the blue snowdrop, this plant blooms before the trees have even grown their leaves. Flowering occurs in late April to early May and lasts for about 15 days. The flower stem grows up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall, bearing heavily scented, lilac-blue flowers.
Autumn Squill (Scilla autumnalis)
This species has been cultivated since as far back as 1597. In the wild, it grows in plains, dry meadows, and rocky slopes. It reaches an average height of 6 inches (15 cm) and produces light lilac or reddish-purple blooms. It is drought-tolerant, loves sunny spots, and requires good drainage. It blooms in late July to early August.
Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)
As mentioned earlier, the “Siberian” moniker was given to the plant by mistake, but the name stuck. This variety has been cultivated since the 18th century. In the wild, it can be found in southern Russia (the Caucasus, Crimea) and Eastern Europe. The flowers are blue or purple and produce nectar.
Siberian squill is further divided into three distinct subspecies: Caucasian, Armenian, and Siberian.
Care Guide
Planting
The optimal time to plant scilla is in November. When planting in a pot, the bulbs should be kept in a dark, cool room at a temperature no higher than 59°F (15°C) for about 8 weeks. For outdoor planting, dig holes about 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) deep. Inspect the bulbs beforehand to discard any that are damaged or rotting, and place them in the ground. It’s highly recommended to add a layer of sand to the bottom of the hole before planting to ensure proper drainage.
Scilla should not be divided and transplanted until at least 3 years after the initial planting. After that, repotting or dividing is typically done once every 3 years.
Growing Characteristics
Summer-blooming scilla varieties prefer shady spots, though they can still perform well in brighter locations. Conversely, spring-blooming varieties need plenty of light. The plant is cold-hardy, meaning it can survive winter outdoors without extra protection; however, it’s best to apply a layer of mulch for winter protection during its first year. Another unique feature of this plant is the behavior of its leaves — in bad, cloudy weather, they lie flat against the ground, but in sunny weather, they stand upright.
Soil
The soil should be moist, loose, and well-draining, with a rich organic content and a neutral or slightly acidic pH. It’s crucial to avoid boggy conditions or standing water. Your scilla will greatly benefit if you amend the soil with leaf mold, bark, or compost to mimic its natural woodland habitat.
Watering
To keep the flowers looking their best, carefully monitor the soil moisture. Never overwater the plant or, conversely, let it dry out completely. When watering, try to avoid getting water directly on the delicate blooms. During winter, reduce your watering schedule, but don’t stop entirely, as this will prevent the scilla from dropping its leaves.
Propagation
By Bulbs (Offsets)
To prevent rotting, separate the small offset bulbs (often referred to as “bulblets” or “pups”) from the mother bulb immediately during repotting. Scilla typically produces about two of these at a time. Plant them in individual pots at a depth of about 1 inch (3 cm). The best time to do this is between September and October.
By Seed
Sometime after the flowers fade, the seed pods will turn yellow and split open. Only then should you cut them off to extract the seeds for planting. Keep in mind that the germination rate is quite low, and a scilla plant grown from seed will take 3 to 4 years to produce its first blooms.
Photos from Our Readers
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer lies in the various myths surrounding the goddess Scylla, who wasn't always a monster: she suffered this tragic fate as punishment for certain misdeeds. Much like the Greek myth, the plant seemingly shape-shifts from one form to another—from a sea onion into a blue woodland squill.
Scilla is generally resilient, but as a small bulbous plant, it can suffer from gray mold (Botrytis) and bulb rot caused by fungal infections. It can also be attacked by pests such as bulb mites and rodents. If grown indoors where the air is too dry, it may become susceptible to scale insects and aphids.
Beyond simply decorating a windowsill, scilla is believed to have several benefits: it is thought to strengthen the immune system, boost one's mood, attract men into the home, and even repel mosquitoes when they come near.
The plant benefits from mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizers in the spring and granular fertilizers in the fall.
