Planting, Growing, and Caring for Crocuses
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Planting
Crocuses do best in a spot that gets full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight), but will grow in partial sun as well. Choose a planting site where there is well-draining soil; the corms will rot in soggy, compacted ground. Before planting, work in organic matter such as compost to a depth of at least 10 inches.
When to Plant Crocuses
- Crocuses need to experience an extended period of cold weather in order to bloom, so plant them in the fall to get spring blooms.
- Before the ground freezes in the fall, crocus corms can be planted most anywhere, except in the dense shade on the north side of buildings or under thickets.
- Ideally, plant crocus corms 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected in the fall and when the soil temperature is below 60°F (16°C). This is usually during September or October in the northern U.S. and Canada, and October or November in the southern United States.
How to Plant Crocuses
- Plant crocus corms 3 to 4 inches deep (with the pointy end up). After planting, water well.
- Plant bulbs in groups or clusters rather than spacing them in a single line along a walkway or border. Single flowers get lost in the landscape. Plant a few inches apart, and plant in groups of 10 or more.
- Consider planting crocuses in lawns and meadows where they can form carpets, or mass them in the front of flower beds along the edge.
- Plant taller spring-flowering bulbs and shrubs behind the early bulbs for color contrast.
→ Learn more about planting fall bulbs.
- ‘Bowles White’ produces white flowers with deep golden yellow throats in early spring. It grows 2 to 3 inches tall.
- ’Flower Record’ has single pale violet flowers in spring to early summer. It grows 4 to 5 inches tall.
- ’Pickwick’ is a striped crocus with alternating pale and dark lilac and dark purple bases. It’s 4 to 5 inches tall and blooms in spring to early summer.
- ’Tricolor Crocus’ is a beauty. Each narrow flower has three distinct bands of lilac, white, and golden yellow. It grows 3 inches tall and blooms in late winter and early spring.
- ’Purpureus Grandiflorus’ has abundance violet flowers with purple bases. It grows 4 to 5 inches tall and blooms spring to early summer.
Catherine Boeckmann
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As we indicate above, Ideally, plant crocus corms 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected and when soils are below 60°F(16°C). This is usually during September and October in the North, and October and November in the South.
You purchased (what is in all likelihood) a forced bulb. Growers have ways of hastening plant/bulb maturity on a schedule that is slightly different from that of mother nature because we love to see blooms in the spring! Most forced bulbs can be planted and naturalized into an environment. See above (or below in another question) for guidance on what to do with it after the bloom fades, as you wait for the cold weather of early winter to plant it.
I planted 15 Crocus bulbs in a 12 diameter planter nearly a month and a half ago. Several shoots are coming up now but my concern is that I didnt space them far enough. Would it be advisable to dig down and transplant them in the ground? How much should I have spaced them?
Hi Moe,
You planted the crocuses with plenty of space. There’s no need to change a thing!
Hi,
Is it possible to grow healthy saffron crocus on the gulf side of Florida 60 miles north of Tampa? i was thinking of raised beds but also thinking that a ground garden would have a cooler soil temperature. Sort of my retirement hobby. Thanks!
At that location, you are just outside of the recommended planting range for Crocus (see the USDA Planting Zones), but it may be worthwhile trying a few bulbs in a cool spot on your property anyway. Typically, though, Florida does not get cold enough for long enough for the bulbs to have an appropriate cooling period. We would recommend contacting your local Cooperative Extension Service, which will be able to give you localized gardening advice.
I planted a handful of crocus bulbs last fall. They were beautiful in the spring. It's now November 17th & they're starting to pop up again. We've had pretty mild weather but I'm afraid it will turn cold & they'll get a frost or freeze. Also, how will their fall growth affect the spring growth & blooms?
Can I get saffron from crocus I've been told of a thing called dutch saffron what is it
jm
You can grow crocus sativus and harvest the culinary saffron in minute amounts. Dutch saffron refers to a company that sells these bulbs from Holland. Vendors ship in the fall and the bulbs should be planted on receipt. Search around for vendors and be sure that the plants will survive in your planting zone.
I live in the south east of England and our crocuses finished blooming a few weeks ago but the foliage shows no sign of dying back. Can I dig them out yet?
I planted a few hundred mixed giant crocus in the fall and we're having a warm winter. I have some blooming now in February, but they're all yellow... Do yellow crocus bloom first or can soil impact color?
Thank you!
