Fritillaria meleagris aka Chequered Lily
Taxonomy
Fritillaria meleagris, also known as snake's head fritillary, chess flower, or checkered lily, is a bulbous perennial plant in the lily family. It is native to river flood plains in Europe and is frequently seen growing in large colonies. The plant features drooping, bell-shaped flowers that are checkered and come in a variety of colors. It has been given many names throughout history, such as frog-cup, guinea-hen flower, leper lily, Lazarus bell, and chequered daffodil. It is considered a super rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. Checkered lilies prefer soil that is well-draining and direct light, and they should be less than 1 foot from a window. They belong to the Fritillaria genus and are native to Eastern Europe and East Russia.
Common names
Chequered Lily, Checkered Lily, Snake's Head Fritillary, Snake's Head, Chess FlowerHow to care for Chequered Lily
Difficulty
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Chequered Lily due to its easy-going nature.
Water
Chequered Lily should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Chequered Lily loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Chequered Lily prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it's common for Chequered Lily to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Chequered Lily is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
Chequered Lily grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.
Region of origin
Chequered Lily’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and west to France, Serbia and the Lower Volga.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Fritillaria Genus
Fritillaria affinis Checker Lily
Fritillaria pallidiflora
Fritillaria verticillata
Fritillaria micrantha Brown Fritillary
Fritillaria purdyi Purdy's Fritillary
Fritillaria imperialis Crown Imperial
Fritillaria sewerzowii
Fritillaria liliacea Fragrant Fritillary
