How to grow Crocus

Crocus vernus · spring crocus, Dutch crocus

Small early-spring flower from the mountains of Europe, grown from corms planted in autumn. The cup-shaped flowers are purple or white, often striped, and last about three weeks.

Quick facts

Type	Flower
Family	Iridaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil pH	6–7
Frost	tolerates light frost
Germination	170 days
Where it grows	Greenhouse, Open ground, At home

When to plant

Plant in autumn, about a month before your first autumn frost, so the roots grow before winter; it flowers or crops the next season.

Dates for your city are on the frost dates page.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Greenhouse

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	—	—	—
Flowering	—	—	—

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	—	—	—
Flowering	—	—	—

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	—	—	—
Flowering	—	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Full sun to part shade. The flowers open in sun and close at night and in rain.

Soil

Gritty or sandy, well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.0. In heavy clay or constantly wet soil the corms rot.

Care

Plant corms in autumn, 7–10 cm deep and 8–10 cm apart. In the ground they rarely need watering or feeding; pots dry out faster, so water them when the compost is dry. After flowering let the leaves die back naturally; in a lawn do not mow for about six weeks, until they turn yellow. Wire mesh over new plantings keeps squirrels and mice from digging up the corms.

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.