How to Grow Primrose

The Primula genus contains at least 500 species. There is an almost infinite number of hybrids and cultivars to choose from. Different colors allow for a lot of diversity. Most are short-lived perennials. Cultivated varieties most often carry the common name primrose.

Primroses have low rosettes of dark green leaves, colorful flowers and sturdy stalks. Some varieties have clusters of flowers on a single stem. Other primulas have one flower per stems. Their stems create clusters of flowers that skim the rosette of leaves.

The most common colors of primrose blooms are purple, white, red and pink. Primrose blossoms have yellow centers with bi-colored petals. Petals are red, blue, yellow, white and many shades in between.
Primroses can be grown indoors or outdoors, from starter plants or from seed.

Safety tip: Primrose is toxic to both animals and humans. Keep your little ones and family pets away.

• You can plant from seed, but we recommend buying a plant already in bloom. Choose a plant showing only a few open blooms.
• Plants with single flowers tend to be tougher than those with frilled double-blossoms. If you plan to transplant outdoors, single flowers are more likely to succeed.
• Remove any old flowers or injured leaves when planting.
• Display your plant by slipping its nursery pot inside a larger, decorative pot. The pot does not need to have drainage holes.
• Water every few days to always keep the soil moderately moist.

• When ready to transplant in summer, choose an outdoor spot that is moist and shady.
• First, dig a hole eight inches deep and eight inches wide.
• Mix in a quart or so of compost. Set the plant in place at the same depth it grew in its pot.
• Water well and mulch around the plant to keep the soil moist and free of weeds.

Tip: Your primrose will bloom longer if exposed to cold temperatures at night. This happens outdoors in early spring depending on your location.

Primroses indoors are thought of by the houseplant industry as short-term houseplants. Similar to orchids and poinsettias, they are sold with intention to bloom for a few weeks and then be discarded when blooms have faded. Growing primroses indoors beyond their blooms span is possible. But, it’s very difficult. Many people choose to simply plant their houseplant out in the garden when blooms fade.

Caring for primroses indoors entails:

• Put them in direct sun or indirect light.
• Indoor primrose is susceptible to root rot. Water when the top soil is dry, but don’t overwater.
• Keep it under 80 degrees. They thrive best in 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Indoor primrose needs high humidity. Use a pebble tray if necessary.
• Fertilize once a month, but never during bloom.
• Conditions near a north window may be close to perfect. Or you can move your primrose to the coolest room in your house at night.
• You may only have one bloom, but under the right conditions, you can maybe get it to bloom again.

Planting your primrose from seed is difficult. We only recommend it if you are a more advanced gardener.

• The easiest primroses to grow from seed include garden polyanthus hybrids. Look for P. Vulgaris, P. Veris, or P. Elatior.
• Raise seed sown in pots in late winter, from January to end of March. Set them outside to chill. North side of your home is best. Or include them under shrubs to protect them from wind and winter sun.
• Fill small pots with a moist seed-starting mix, like Pro-Mix. It should be within 14 inches of the top.
• Sow seeds sparsely and cover them with a layer of vermiculite.
• Cover the pots with an old window screen. This breaks the force of driving rain.
• Seeds should germinate in March or April.
• After germination, set pots in a shallow pan and fill with an inch of water.
• When the soil surface is damp, remove from the pan and drain.
• Never let the seedlings dry out. Once the leaves sprout, transplant them to flats with potting soil.
• Remove a whole clump from the pot and tease apart the roots.
• Place the individual seedlings an inch apart in the flat.
• Move them to the garden in early fall.
• They should bloom the next spring.