Table of Contents
Crocus is a genus of flowering plants in the iris family, known for their colorful, cup-shaped flowers that typically bloom in the spring. These plants are popular in gardens and can be found in a wide range of colors, including purple, yellow, and white.
One of the main reasons why crocus is so popular is because the golden pollen inside the flowers attracts bees out of their hives and they get an early-spring food source. Another plus point about crocus is that it’s a very low-maintenance plant that grows back year after year on its own, so you don’t need to go through the hassle of planting and replanting it each year
If you’re interested in growing crocus plants, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ve got everything you need to know about how to grow and maintain crocus in your very own garden.
What is Crocus?
Crocus plants are often seen as a sign of the coming warmer weather, as their delicate petals push through the snow and frozen ground to herald the arrival of spring.
They’re native to woodlands, meadows, and fields in temperate regions of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. There are over 80 species of crocus, with the most common being the purple crocus (Crocus vernus) and the yellow crocus (Crocus sativus). These plants are prized for their beauty and are often used in gardens to add a splash of color during the spring season.
In addition to their colorful flowers, crocus plants are also known for their medicinal properties. The saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) is harvested for its stigma, which is used as a spice and natural dye.
It is considered one of the world’s most valuable spices and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of conditions, from digestive disorders to depression.
Types of Crocus Plants
There are several types of crocus plants to choose from and this depends on when it blooms and which color of crocus you want to grow.
- Flower Record: This variety of crocus blooms from early spring to early summer, producing single pale violet flowers. The plants grow 4-5 inches high.
- Bowles White: Bowles white crocus blooms in early spring with white flowers having deep golden yellow throats. The plants become 2-3 inches high.
- Purpureus Grandiflorus: This type of crocus blooms from spring to early summer with a lot of violet flowers having purple bases. The plants grow to heights of 4-5 inches.
- Tricolor Crocus: As the name suggests, this beautiful variety of crocus has mesmerizing flowers having bands of golden yellow, lilac, and white. It blooms from late winter to early spring and grows to a height of 3 inches.
- Pickwick: These flowers bloom from spring to early summer and are striped with dark and pale lilac, having dark purple bases. The plants grow as high as 4-5 inches.
How to Plant Crocus
Before you start planting your crocus, there are a few things you’ll need to consider:
When to Plant Crocus
- To get spring blooms, plant crocus in the fall so that they experience the cold weather that is essential for their flowering
- Plant the crocus corms before the ground freezes during autumn, but don’t plant under thickets, in the dense shades, or on the north side of buildings.
- The ideal soil temperature to plant crocus corn is below 60 F (16 C) and 6 to 8 weeks prior to a hard frost in fall.
Where to Plant Crocus
Crocus needs to be planted in an area with well-drained soil, as compacted, soggy soil will cause the corms to rot. They can grow in partial sun, but they bloom best when grown in a sunny place, with more than 6 hours of direct sunlight. Prepare the soil by using organic matter as compost before planting.
Rock Gardens
Crocus bloom well in gravel gardens and spaces between rocks. They start blooming earlier when they get warmth from the surrounding stones and good drainage. To extend the flower show, plant mixed species of crocus and giant crocus.
Perennial Gardens
Crocus bulbs can are easy to plant in perennial gardens as you can simply tuck the bulbs between flower beds. The flower show will be more visible if you plant them close to the front edge. The foliage, however, doesn’t stay for long. It starts increasing just after blooming and you can have space for other plants.
Lawns and Landscapes
You can plant crocus on your lawn or under trees and shrubs. You can plant a log of crocus bulbs in a short time since they are small and don’t need a lot of space. The way they grow in the wild, they look prettiest when blooming in drifts or clumps.
Walkways and Flowerbeds
Plant crocus in your flower garden alongside other spring blossoms like daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and muscari. Enjoy your crocus blossoms for many years by just planting them once alongside a pathway, steps, or a walkway.
How to Grow Crocus in Your Garden
To plant crocus in your garden, you will need to follow these steps:
- Choose a location in your garden that receives full sun to partial shade. Crocus plants prefer well-draining soil, so avoid areas that are prone to standing water. The soil should be colder than 60 F.
- Prepare the soil by loosening it with a garden fork and incorporating a layer of compost to help retain moisture and provide nutrients to the plants.
- Plant your crocus bulbs in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the first frost. This allows the bulbs time to establish roots before the cold weather arrives. Place them in the soil with their pointy ends up and bury the crocus bulbs about 2-3’’ deep in the soil and 3’’ apart.
- Dig a hole that is twice as deep as the height of the bulb, and space the bulbs about 3-5 inches apart. Plant the bulbs with the pointy end facing up, and carefully cover them with soil.
- Water the bulbs thoroughly to help settle the soil and provide moisture to the roots. Mulch the area with a layer of bark or straw to help protect the bulbs from frost and retain moisture.
- Once the crocus plants have finished blooming, leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and dies back naturally. This allows the plant to photosynthesize and produce energy for the next season’s growth.
How to Grow Crocus in Containers
Here’s what you need to do to grow crocus in containers:
- Choose a container with drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. A pot that is at least 6 inches deep and 6-8 inches in diameter will be suitable for most crocus bulbs.
- Fill the container with well-draining potting soil and mix in a small amount of compost to provide nutrients to the plants.
- Plant your crocus bulbs in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the first frost. This allows the bulbs time to establish roots before the cold weather arrives.
- Dig a hole that is twice as deep as the height of the bulb, and space the bulbs about 3-5 inches apart. Plant the bulbs with the pointy end facing up, and carefully cover them with soil.
- Water the bulbs thoroughly to help settle the soil and provide moisture to the roots.
- Place the container in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Water the crocus plants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering.
- Once the crocus plants have finished blooming, leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and dies back naturally. This allows the plant to photosynthesize and produce energy for the next season’s growth.
Caring for Crocus
Crocus plants aren’t very difficult to take care of. However, there are a few things you’ll need to take into consideration. Let’s take a look.
Watering
As a general rule, crocus should be watered regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. This is especially important during the first few weeks after planting, as the bulbs establish their roots. Once the plants are established, they can tolerate some dryness and can even survive brief periods of drought.
However, it is still important to monitor the soil moisture and water the plants as needed to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Overwatering can cause the bulbs to rot, so it is important to avoid overwatering and allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
Fertilizing
Crocus plants do not require frequent fertilization and can often thrive with just the nutrients provided by the soil and compost. However, if the soil is poor or the plants are not growing well, you can fertilize them with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring, after the plants have finished blooming.
Avoid fertilizing crocus plants in the fall, as this can stimulate new growth that may not have time to harden off before the first frost arrives. It’s also important to avoid over-fertilizing, as this can cause the plants to produce more foliage and fewer flowers.
A general rule of thumb is to use fertilizer at half the recommended rate, and adjust as needed based on the health and growth of the plants.
Pruning and Deadheading
Crocus doesn’t need any pruning and deadheading as the flowers fade away naturally. Crocus plants do not typically require pruning or deadheading. Once the plants have finished blooming, the spent flowers can be removed to tidy up the garden and improve the plants’ appearance.
However, this is not necessary for the health of the plants and removing the spent flowers can actually reduce the plants’ ability to photosynthesize and produce energy for the next season’s growth.
It’s generally a good idea to leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and dies back naturally, as this allows the plant to continue producing energy and store it in the bulb for the following season. If the foliage is damaged or diseased, it can be removed to prevent the spread of the problem to other plants. Otherwise, crocus plants do not require regular pruning or deadheading.
Propagation
To propagate crocus, you can divide the bulbs in the fall, when the plant is dormant. First, carefully dig up the bulbs and separate them with your hands or a sharp knife, making sure each bulb has a few healthy-looking scales and a bud.
Then, plant the bulbs in well-draining soil in an area with full sun to partial shade, at a depth of about three times the height of the bulb. Water the bulbs well after planting and keep the soil consistently moist until the plants emerge in the spring.
Pests and Diseases
Crocus plants can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, including slugs, snails, aphids, and red spider mites. They can also be affected by fungal diseases such as botrytis and fusarium, which can cause the leaves and flowers to rot or become discolored.
To prevent pests and diseases, it’s important to plant your crocus bulbs in well-draining soil as mentioned earlier, and to avoid overwatering. You can also use organic pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects or applying organic pesticides, to help control any infestations.
Design Ideas for Crocus
There are many design ideas for incorporating crocus plants into your garden or landscape. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Plant crocus bulbs in large, sweeping drifts or clusters for a bold and colorful display. This works well in a naturalized garden setting, or as a ground-cover in a partly shaded area.
- Use crocus as a border plant along walkways or garden beds, where their delicate flowers can be appreciated up close. This also makes it easy to enjoy the plant’s sweet fragrance.
- Plant crocus bulbs in containers, such as pots, window boxes, or hanging baskets. This is a great way to add a splash of color to a balcony, patio, or other small space.
- Interplant crocus bulbs with other spring-blooming bulbs, such as daffodils or tulips, for a more varied and extended display of color. This can create a beautiful and harmonious effect in the garden.
Plant crocus bulbs near deciduous trees or shrubs, where they can naturalize and spread over time. This can create a beautiful display of color in the spring, when the trees are still bare and the crocus flowers are in bloom.
Crocus FAQs
1. How long do crocus plants stay in bloom?
Crocus plants typically bloom in the early spring, usually lasting for one to two weeks. The exact length of time the plants will remain in bloom will depend on the variety of crocus and the growing conditions, such as temperature and rainfall.
Some crocus varieties may bloom for a shorter period of time, while others may bloom for longer. In general, though, you can expect your crocus plants to remain in bloom for about a week or two.
2. Do crocus spread by themselves?
Crocus plants can spread over time through natural reproduction, but it typically happens slowly. As the plant grows and matures, it will produce offsets, which are small bulbs that grow off the side of the main bulb. These offsets can then be separated and replanted to create new crocus plants.
However, this process can take several years, and the rate of spread will depend on the growing conditions and the care the plants receive. Crocus plants can also be propagated more quickly by dividing the bulbs in the fall, as described earlier.
3. What month do crocuses flower?
Crocuses typically flower in the early spring, usually in March or April. The exact time of year that crocuses will bloom will depend on the variety of the plant and the climate where it is grown. In warmer climates, crocuses may bloom earlier, while in colder climates, they may bloom later. In general, though, you can expect crocuses to flower in the early spring, providing a welcome splash of color after the long, cold winter.
4. How many crocus bulbs should I plant together?
When planting crocus bulbs, you can plant them in small clusters or in large drifts, depending on the look you want to achieve in your garden. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to plant at least six to eight bulbs together, as this will create a more substantial and impactful display of color.
If you want to create a larger or more dramatic display, you can plant even more bulbs together, spacing them about 3-4 inches apart. This will create a denser, more lush look in your garden.
5. Can you leave crocus bulbs in pots?
Yes, you can leave crocus bulbs in pots, either indoors or outdoors. In fact, planting crocus bulbs in pots is a great way to add a splash of color to a balcony, patio, or other small space. To plant crocus bulbs in pots, choose a container with drainage holes and fill it with well-draining potting soil.
Plant the bulbs at a depth of about three times the height of the bulb, and water them well after planting. Place the pot in a location with full sun to partial shade, and keep the soil consistently moist until the plants emerge in the spring.
Once the plants are finished blooming, you can either leave the bulbs in the pot to naturalize, or you can dig them up and store them in a cool, dry place until the fall, when you can plant them in the ground.
6. Why didn’t my crocuses come back?
There are several reasons why your crocuses might not have come back. One possibility is that the bulbs were not planted deeply enough. Crocus bulbs should be planted at a depth of about three times the height of the bulb, so if they were planted too shallowly, they may not have received the moisture and nutrients they need to survive and thrive.
Another possibility is that the bulbs were damaged or diseased. Crocus bulbs are susceptible to fungal diseases, such as fusarium and botrytis, which can cause the bulbs to rot or become discolored. If the bulbs were infected with one of these diseases, they may not have been able to produce healthy flowers the following year.
Finally, crocus bulbs are often eaten by pests, such as slugs and snails, which can also prevent them from coming back. If you suspect that pests or diseases may have affected your crocus bulbs, you can try treating the area with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide, or you can try planting new, healthy bulbs in the fall.
Wrapping Up
Growing crocus plants is a great way to add a splash of color to your garden or landscape in the spring. They are easy to care for and can be propagated by dividing the bulbs in the fall. Plus, they are resistant to most pests and diseases, making them a low-maintenance choice for gardeners of all levels.
Whether you plant them in large drifts or containers, crocus plants are sure to brighten up your garden with their delicate flowers and sweet fragrance.
