Plant Details

Primula vulgaris

Primrose, Common Primrose, English Primrose

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Common names

52 names · 37 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Common Primrose[1]
  • English Primrose[1]
  • Primrose[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Çuha Çiçeği[1]
Other languages (36)
Dutch
  • Stengelloze sleutelbloem[1]
French
  • Primevère commune[1]
  • Primevère officinale
Albanian
  • Aguliçe e rëndomtë[1]
Arabic
  • زهرة الربيع الشائعة[1]
Basque
  • Udaberri-lore goiztiarra[1]
Bulgarian
  • Безстъблена иглика[1]
  • иглика[1]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
  • Jagorčevina[1]
  • Jagorčika[1]
  • Obični jaglac[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Rani jaglac[1]
Czech
  • prvosenka bezlodyžná[1]
Danish
  • Storblomstret kodriver[1]
Estonian
  • varretu priimula[1]
Faroese
  • leggstutt fransagras[1]
Finnish
  • kääpiöesikko[1]
Galician
German
  • Erd-Primel[1]
  • Schaftlose Schlüsselblume[1]
  • Stängellose Schlüsselblume[1]
Hungarian
  • Szártalan kankalin[1]
Irish
  • Sabhaircín[1]
Italian
  • Primula comune[1]
Japanese
  • イチゲコザクラ[1]
  • プリムローズ[1]
Latvian
  • Parastā prīmula[1]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastoji raktažolė[1]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Pierwiosnek bezłodygowy[1]
Portuguese
  • Prímula-pão-de-leite[1]
  • rosas-da-páscoa[1]
Romanian
Russian
  • Первоцвет обыкновенный[1]
Serbian
  • Jagorčevina[1]
  • Јагорчевина[1]
Slovak
  • prvosienka bezbyľová[1]
Slovenian
  • trobentica[1]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • çuhaçiçeği[1]
Ukrainian
  • Первоцвіт звичайний[1]
Welsh
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Primula vulgaris — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Primrose — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Stengelloze sleutelbloem — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Primavera — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Common Primrose — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Primula comune — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Stängellose Schlüsselblume — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Schaftlose Schlüsselblume — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Erd-Primel — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Primevère commune — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Primavera — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • English primrose — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • prvosenka bezlodyžná — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Storblomstret kodriver — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Первоцвет обыкновенный — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Prímula-pão-de-leite — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • kusymre — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • kääpiöesikko — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • زهرة الربيع الشائعة — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • varretu priimula — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Szártalan kankalin — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Paprastoji raktažolė — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • イチゲコザクラ — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • プリムローズ — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Obični jaglac — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Rani jaglac — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Jagorčevina — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Jagorčika — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • prvosienka bezbyľová — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Безстъблена иглика — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • 歐報春 — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • 欧报春 — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Sabhaircín — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Cáncaro — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Panqueixo — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • jordviva — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Çuha Çiçeği — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • leggstutt fransagras — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Pierwiosnek bezłodygowy — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Первоцвіт звичайний — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • trobentica — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Grigiorei — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Ciuboțele — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Parastā prīmula — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Јагорчевина — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Jagorčevina — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Aguliçe e rëndomtë — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • çuhaçiçeği — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • rosas-da-páscoa — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Briallen — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • иглика — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.
  • Udaberri-lore goiztiarra — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 56136; Primula vulgaris.

General information

Scientific name: Primula vulgaris
Accepted name (Kew): Primula vulgaris Huds. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Primulaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Primula (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Primrose, Common Primrose, English Primrose
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.08–1.83 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 1.22–2.44 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: None
Growth habit: Clumping

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)
Sources [3]
pH:
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Dappled Sunlight, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Ground cover, Fragrant

Description

Young leaves of this plant can be eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable, and added to soups. They have a mild flavor, but the texture can be somewhat difficult. These leaves are often available in the winter. The flowers can also be eaten raw or cooked. They make a nice garnish for salads and can be prepared as a vegetable or preserved. When the flowers are just opened, they can be fermented with water and sugar to make a delicious and intoxicating wine. Both the flowers and the leaves can be used to make syrup or tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/04
Harvest ends: 31/05

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 312270; name ID 2564986; Primula L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 309389; name ID 2563766; Primula vulgaris Huds..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Primula vulgaris

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1022868, ID 4MDKW: Primula vulgaris Huds. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Primula vulgaris — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .