How to grow Saffron

Crocus sativus · saffron crocus, Crocus sativus

Saffron (Crocus sativus) — an autumn-flowering crocus grown for its red stigmas — the spice saffron. Each corm gives 2–4 purple flowers with three stigmas each, and they open in autumn for only 1–2 weeks. Hardy to about USDA zone 5; it flowers best after a hot, dry summer.

Checked against sources: October 3, 2026

Quick facts

Type	Herb
Family	Iridaceae
Light	Full sun
Frost	tolerates light frost
Germination	30 days
Sowing to harvest	14 days
Where it grows	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.

Harvest comes about 0 months after planting.

Dates for your city are on the frost dates page.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	—	—	—
Harvest	—	—	—

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 10 days	—	—
Harvest	every 10 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Full sun; at flowering time it needs at least 5–6 hours of sun a day.

Soil

Light, sandy or loamy, well-drained soil with some organic matter; in standing water the corms rot. Very rich soil, excess nitrogen and fresh manure lower the saffron yield.

Care

Plant corms as soon as you get them, in August or early September — stored corms sprout and die. Set them flat side down 8–15 cm deep and 8–10 cm apart; a pot should be at least 30 cm across, stand on the ground and have its sides insulated in winter. Outdoors rain is enough; never overwater. Leaves appear 4–8 weeks after planting and flowers may follow the same autumn or only a year later. Pick the flowers in the morning, just before they open, pull out the three red stigmas and dry them somewhere warm (27–35 °C) and dark; keep them in an airtight jar away from light. The leaves grow all winter and die back by early summer. Every 4–5 years dig up, divide and replant the corms. Protect them from mice and squirrels. The corms are toxic to young animals, and large doses of saffron are harmful; do not confuse the plant with the poisonous Colchicum, also called autumn crocus.

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.