fairy primrose

As a cold-tolerant alpine plant, mountain cowslip thrives with moisture. Water your mountain cowslip throughout the spring to early summer every 3-4 days, or whenever the top inch or 2 of soil feels dry. During hot summer days, water every 1-2 days. After early summer, water less frequently, checking the soil moisture every 3-4 days. Allow the soil to dry in between waterings. While soil should remain relatively moist, avoid overwatering, as mountain cowslip is susceptible to root rot.

Mountain cowslip plants thrive in full to partial sun, with direct sunlight for at least 4-6 hours per day. Ideally, the sun should hit directly onto the plant for at least part of the day, as diffused sunlight isn't as effective for them. In hotter regions, afternoon shade can be beneficial for this plant species. For best blooming, mountain cowslips need to be exposed to direct sunlight in the morning hours and lighter shade during the afternoon or early evening.

Mountain cowslip (Primula auricula) should typically be pruned in late winter or early spring. Pruning should be done to remove dead, damaged, or diseased stems and leaves. Younger plants can be lightly clipped to remove any dead foliage while older plants may need to have more mature stems removed to encourage new growth. Pruning should be kept to a minimum as too much pruning could damage the plant. When pruning, use clean garden shears or secateurs to avoid spread of any contagious diseases.