Crocus Growing Guide
Growing Crocus is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Flower
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -34°C
Plant Family
Iridaceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Plant the little corms about 8cm deep in autumn, in sun or light shade — they're cheap, so plant generously in drifts.
One of the very first flowers of spring (some even bloom in late winter through snow), and a vital early nectar source for bees. Tiny, cheap corms planted in autumn quickly multiply into spreading carpets — gorgeous drifted through lawns and under trees. Easy and hardy; just plant them in autumn and let them spread. (There's also an autumn-flowering type, including saffron crocus.)
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
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Last Chance to Plant
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When should you plant Crocus?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Crocus Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Crocus's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
8 cm
Seeding Depth
8 cm
Plant Spacing
30 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
No.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Plant in autumn in a sunny, well-drained spot and then leave them be — they'll spread year on year.
- 2Resist mowing naturalised crocus foliage until it yellows.
- 3Plant them where you'll see the early flowers from indoors on grey days, and where bees can find this crucial early food.
- 4Squirrels sometimes dig the corms, so a little wire mesh over new plantings helps.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
12 cm
Mature Height
8 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
When to Pick
Blooms late winter to early spring; one of the first nectar sources for bees
How to Harvest
- 1Crocuses are left in place — simply enjoy the early flowers and let the grassy leaves die back naturally afterwards to feed the corm.
- 2If you've naturalised them in a lawn, hold off the first mow until their foliage has yellowed.
- 3Lift and divide only when old clumps get congested and flower less.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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