RECOMMENDED USDA GROWING ZONES: 6-9
1. Choose the right location
Choose a location in full sun with well-drained soil. Saffron Crocus performs best with plenty of sunlight and is especially sensitive to soil that remains wet or waterlogged.
Corms can be planted in garden beds, borders, raised beds, or containers. If growing in a container, make sure it has adequate drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
2. Prepare the soil
Prepare loose, well-drained soil before planting. If your soil is heavy or compacted, incorporate organic matter to improve its structure and drainage.
Unlike many spring-flowering crocuses, Saffron Crocus blooms in fall. Plant the corms in late summer to early fall so they have time to establish and produce their seasonal growth.
3. Plant your corms
Plant the corms approximately 3–4 inches deep and 3–4 inches apart, with the pointed end facing upward. Cover them with soil and water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the corms.
For a fuller display, plant several corms together in groups while maintaining enough spacing for the plants to multiply over time.
4. Water carefully
Water thoroughly immediately after planting. Once established, Saffron Crocus prefers relatively dry conditions and should not be kept constantly wet.
Water when needed during active growth, allowing the soil to begin drying between waterings. Reduce watering as the foliage naturally dies back and the corms enter dormancy. Avoid standing water, which can cause the corms to rot.
5. Harvest and maintain your saffron
Saffron Crocus produces purple flowers in fall, each containing three distinctive red stigmas. Harvest flowers shortly after they open, preferably on a dry morning, and carefully remove the red stigmas by hand.
Dry the harvested stigmas thoroughly before storing them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Only the red stigmas are harvested for culinary saffron.
After flowering, allow the green foliage to remain in place until it yellows and dies back naturally. The leaves replenish the corms for the following season. Established corms can multiply underground over time, gradually producing a larger display.
