Siberian squill

Quick facts

Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) is a popular landscape plant that can be invasive.

Siberian squill is found in native woodlands.
It readily spreads itself and is hardy and cold tolerant.
It is not on any Minnesota control list, but may be added in the future.

many blue siberian squill flowers growing in the grass

How to identify Siberian squill

Small, 4–8 inches tall, early flowering bulbous perennial.
It grows, flowers and then goes dormant at the same time as many native spring ephemerals, plants that emerge and bloom right after the snow melts.

Stem

One or more arching, hairless flower stalks form from the center of a rosette.

Leaves

5-inch-long, grass-like, hairless leaves emerge from one point.

Flowers

1-inch-wide, bell-shaped flowers occur singly or as a group of 2–3 at the top of a slim stem.
Six flaring, blue petals with a dark blue center strip and six white stamens with blue tips.
Flower color may vary with variety and include white, pink or violet.

close up of 2 blue, white and green Siberian squill flowers on black background — Siberian squill flowers

Seeds

Seed capsules are green and bumpy.
They turn brown as they mature and split to produce dark reddish-brown seeds.

Roots

Bulb

Angela Gupta, Extension educator; Amy Rager, Extension educator; and Megan M. Weber, Extension educator

Reviewed in 2019

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