Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Plant Profiles / Hellebore
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Hellebore
Helleborus × hybridus · Lenten rose, winter rose
A shade-loving perennial with nodding, cup-shaped flowers in white, pink, plum and green through winter and early spring.
Part to full shadeLight
WeeklyWater
EasyCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Part to full shade
ShadeFull sun
Dappled shade; morning sun is fine.
Water
Weekly
DryWet
Keep moist but not wet.
Humidity
Average
LowHigh
Adaptable.
Temperature
-25–30°C (-13–86°F)
CoolWarm
Prefers cool climates.
Growth
Slow, clumping
SlowFast
Grows 30–45 cm.
Soil
Rich, well-drained
LeanRich
Add compost; tolerates alkaline soil.
Fertiliser
Autumn
RarelyOften
Slow-release fertiliser in autumn.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
All parts are toxic to pets and people.
About this plant
Hellebores come from Europe and Western Asia. They flower when little else does and are long-lived and deer resistant. The flowers last for weeks and look best planted where you can look up into them, like raised pots.
Best spots
Shaded balconies, under trees, woodland gardens and raised pots.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Helleborus × hybridus |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Origin | Europe & Western Asia |
| Plant type | Evergreen perennial |
| Mature size | 30–45 cm |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Foliage | Leathery, divided leaves |
| Flowers | Nodding cups in white, pink, plum and green |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Division or seed |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering
Remove old leaves
Fertilise
FloweringRemove old leavesFertilise
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Black spots on leaves | Leaf spot; remove old leaves in autumn. |
| Few flowers | Too young or too much shade. |
| Aphids | Hose off. |
| Drooping in summer | Heat stress; water and shade. |
| Seedlings everywhere | Remove spent flowers before seeding. |
Common questions
When do hellebores flower?
Late winter into spring.
Should I remove old leaves?
Yes, in autumn so flowers show.
Are they toxic?
Yes, wear gloves.
Can they grow in pots?
Yes.
