How to Grow Crocuses

Crocuses are among the most popular spring flowers to grow from bulbs. Their dainty cup-shaped flowers, which come in gorgeous shades of white, cream, yellow, and purple, can bloom as early as late winter, bringing crucial early colour to British gardens. Crocus bulbs are incredibly economical and easy to grow, naturalising over time to produce more impressive displays each year – plus, while they have a shorter vase life than some other flowers, they make for beautiful and distinctive cut flower arrangements! 

This guide will walk you through how to grow crocus bulbsstep-by-step, from preparing the soil to harvesting their blooms for vases and bouquets.

Ground Prep

Before you plant crocus bulbs, it’s important to prepare the soil you’re going to grow them in. Choose an area of your garden that gets enough sun and rain, and think about where you need colour and interest through the early months.

• Pick a sunny spot: Crocuses thrive in bright sun, though some varieties can tolerate partial shade. Look for an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day for best results.
• Weed and aerate: Remove any weeds and debris in the area, and aerate the soil using a garden fork, breaking up compacted areas to promote root growth.
• Add fertiliser: Fertiliser is food for plants, helping them grow quicker, bigger, stronger, and brighter. Simply add a balanced fertiliser to the soil before planting. This will provide the necessary nutrients for the bulbs as they begin to grow in the spring. 
• Check drainage: Crocuses prefer sandy or loamy soil that drains well. If your soil is heavy clay, consider mixing in organic matter, such as compost, leaf -mould or well-rotted manure to improve drainage. This will also help improve general soil health and soil structure.
• Test the pH: Aim for a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Add lime to raise the pH of the soil if it’s too acidic. 

Crocus bulbs can also be grown in pots and containers; fill a free-draining container with a 3:1 mix of compost and horticultural grit and position it in full sun.

Planting

For most crocus bulb varieties, the best time for planting is in the autumn, from late September onwards. This gives the roots plenty of time to establish before the first frosts. However, you can also get autumn-flowering crocuses, such as the saffron crocus, which should be planted in August.

Planting crocus bulbs is a straightforward process. To begin, dig a hole to the appropriate depth, place the bulb in the hole with the pointed end facing upwards, and then cover it with soil. Gently press down the soil to remove any air pockets and make good contact between the bulb and the soil. 

Spacing crocus bulbs

Crocus bulbs should be planted at a depth of 3-4 inches. This depth protects the bulbs from frost while allowing them enough space to develop roots and push through the soil when it’s time to bloom.

When planting crocus bulbs, space them about 3-4 inches apart. This is a good balance: the bulbs won’t compete as much for nutrients and light, but shouldn’t grow in too sparsely. Crocuses look wonderful growing in lawns or under deciduous trees. To achieve a more naturalistic planting scheme, throw your bulbs onto the ground and plant them where they fall. 

If planting in containers, you can place crocus bulbs closer together than you would in the garden. However, you should still ensure that the bulbs don’t touch – this could lead to rot.

Plant Care

Caring for crocuses is quite simple – they’re one of the best low-maintenance bulb flowers for beginner gardeners!

Water the bulbs immediately after planting to help settle them into the soil. Once established, crocuses need little moisture, so only water them during prolonged dry spells when the plants are in active growth. It’s better to risk underwatering than overwatering, as crocuses can be susceptible to bulb rot.

If necessary, you can apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring as the shoots begin to emerge. This will give the plants a boost as they grow and bloom.

After crocus blooms have faded, allow the foliage to die back naturally before cutting it down. Crocuses are perennial plants, which means they come back year after year; leaving the leaves in place allows them to carry on providing energy for the bulbs to store, ready for next spring. 

Crocuses are generally resistant to pests, but keep an eye out for aphids and slugs. Insecticides and other pest and disease control products can help manage any potential infestations. If you're struggling to keep squirrels away from your bulbs, add a layer of rose prunings or holly branches to the top of your pots until the leaves start to develop. Slugs can be kept at bay through manual removal or by using copper tape around the plants.

Harvesting

Harvesting crocuses is a simple process that allows you to enjoy their beauty indoors. Though their stems are relatively short, they look beautiful in short vases or dainty spring posies. 

The best time to harvest crocus flowers is shortly after they bloom when they are fully open but not yet starting to fade. Cut them early in the morning, as this is when the flowers and stems contain the most water.

Use sharp scissors or secateurs to cut the crocus stems just above the foliage. selecting only healthy flowers for the best results.

Once harvested, immediately place the crocus flowers in a clean vase filled with fresh water. You can add flower food to the water to help them last longer. To maximise their freshness, change the water and trim the stems slightly each day to improve water uptake. Keep the vase in a cool area away from direct sunlight to prevent wilting.

Crocus flowers can last up to five days in a vase if properly cared for. 

Grow Crocuses with Johnsons Seeds

If you’re looking to fill your beds and borders with sunshine this spring, visit Johnsons. We have a fantastic selection of top-grade crocus bulbs in every colour and style, from gorgeous purple and lavender mixes to bright whites and soft creams. All of our flower bulbs are hand-selected for quality and delivered at the perfect time for planting, complete with full growing instructions to help you achieve spectacular results.