Primulaceae
Oxlip (Primula elatior)
Primula elatior
A temperate garden plant that is very cold hardy. It likes part shade or gentle sun, a sheltered spot and soil that stays moist without being soggy. Don't let the soil dry out, especially in sun. Divide clumps every three years to keep it flowering well. It tends to struggle in hot climates.
Every 5 days
Partial shade
-34° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Oxlip?
Oxlip (Primula elatior) is a easy-care plant from the Primulaceae family. Primula elatior is a wild primrose from Europe, ranging from the British Isles and southern Sweden east to the Altai Mountains in Asia. In the wild it grows in damp woods and meadows on lean, chalky soil. It forms a rosette of wrinkled leaves 5-15 cm long and in spring sends up 10-30 cm stems with 1...
Oxlip grows up to 30cm, spread of 25cm, watering every 5 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Oxlip tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs.
How to Care for Oxlip?
TLDR: Oxlip needs Partial shade, watering every 5 days, and temperatures between -34-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Oxlip?
Keep the soil lightly moist at all times, watering every 4-5 days in dry weather. In spring and summer, never let it dry out. Avoid waterlogging in winter.
How Much Light Does Oxlip Need?
Part shade or morning sun. Under deciduous trees is ideal: sun in late winter and shade in summer.
What Is the Best Soil for Oxlip?
Fertile soil rich in compost, moist but well-drained. It accepts clay, chalk or sand, acid or alkaline.
What Pot Should You Use for Oxlip?
Best in a border. In a container, use a wide pot with drainage holes and compost-rich mix, kept in a cool, part-shaded spot.
What Is Oxlip and Where Does It Come From?
Primula elatior is a wild primrose from Europe, ranging from the British Isles and southern Sweden east to the Altai Mountains in Asia. In the wild it grows in damp woods and meadows on lean, chalky soil. It forms a rosette of wrinkled leaves 5-15 cm long and in spring sends up 10-30 cm stems with 10 to 30 pale yellow flowers, all facing the same way. The whole plant reaches about 30 cm tall by 25 cm wide. It looks like the cowslip (Primula veris), but its flowers are larger, paler and more open. The name elatior means "taller".
How to Propagate Oxlip?
Division
Dividing every three years keeps the plant vigorous and flowering.
- 1 After flowering or in fall, lift the clump carefully
- 2 Pull or cut it into pieces with leaves and roots
- 3 Replant at the same depth in soil with compost
- 4 Water well and keep moist until established
Materials needed:
Seed
Old seed germinates poorly. Seedlings usually flower in their second year.
- 1 Sow in fall, as soon as the seed is ripe, in a tray of moist mix
- 2 Cover with a thin layer of mix
- 3 Leave the tray outdoors over winter, since cold helps germination
- 4 Transplant seedlings once they have a few leaves
Materials needed:
How Big Does Oxlip Grow?
TLDR: Oxlip can reach up to 30cm tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
30cm
Spread
25cm
Growth rate
Medium
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Oxlip?
TLDR: Oxlip is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are mollusks that feed on plant tissue, causing irregular holes in leaves and damage to young seedlings. They are most active at night and in moist conditions, leaving characteristic silvery slime trails. These pests can quickly devastate gardens, especially during wet seasons.
Curculionidae
Curculionidae (weevils) are small beetles that feed on plants. Adults chew leaf margins, leaving crescent-shaped notches, primarily at night. The larvae live in the substrate and consume roots, causing decline, yellowing, and wilting even when the substrate is moist, and in severe cases, plant death. They frequently affect ornamentals and garden plants such as strawberries, citrus, roses, hydrangeas, azaleas, blueberries, begonias, and many potted plants.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Gray Mold (Botrytis Blight)
Gray mold, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, is a widespread necrotrophic pathogen affecting over 1,400 plant species. It thrives in cool, humid conditions and attacks weakened or aging plant tissues, causing soft rot and characteristic gray fuzzy growth.
Fun Facts
In 2002 it was voted the county flower of Suffolk, England.
The name oxlip may come from the boggy pastures used by cattle where it grows.
It holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Frequently asked questions
What is eating my oxlip's leaves?
Why has it stopped flowering?
How is it different from cowslip?
Can I grow it in a hot climate?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
