Crocus
Crocus spp. (garden hybrids and species)
📖 About this plant
Among the first flowers to bloom in late winter or early spring, often pushing through snow to reveal their jewel-toned, cup-shaped flowers in purple, lavender, white, yellow, gold, and striped bicolors. Some species bloom in autumn. Their low profile and early bloom time make them essential for rock gardens, lawns, borders, and naturalized drifts. A cheerful herald of the changing seasons.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hrs)
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate (40-60%)
5-18°C
Well-draining, moderately fertile, gritty or sandy loam; good drainage is essential to prevent bulb rot
Light application of balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., bulb food) in autumn at planting and again after flowering
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Mediterranean Europe, Middle East, and Central Asia — from Portugal to western China; over 80 species in the wild
- 📏 Max height
- 7-15 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 5-10 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Late Winter - Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Purple, Yellow, White
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Mildly toxic — contains crocin and safranal compounds; corms can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested; saffron crocus (C. sativus) stigmas are edible and prized as a spice
- 🌱 Propagation
- Cormel separation when clumps become overcrowded every 3-4 years in late summer; seed sowing (flowers in 2-3 years from seed)
🛡️ Health & Safety
Mildly toxic — contains crocin and safranal compounds; corms can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested; saffron crocus (C. sativus) stigmas are edible and prized as a spice
Common issues
- Squirrel and rodent bulb predation, Sclerotium rot in wet soil, Virus diseases causing streaked flowers
💡 Care tips
- One of the first flowers to bloom in late winter or early spring,Plant corms in fall 3 inches deep in well-drained soil,Short stature makes them perfect for rock gardens and borders,Spread naturally over time creating beautiful carpet-like displays
