Grow Your Own Saffron Crocus
Start a small saffron planting with 12 Crocus sativus corms. Enjoy the lilac-purple flowers of this autumn-blooming crocus and the hands-on experience of growing the species used for saffron spice. This pack contains planting corms, often called bulbs.
What arrives: 12 planting corms. Flowers and harvested saffron threads in the photographs are illustrative and are not included.
Pack Details
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Quantity: 12 corms
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Botanical name: Crocus sativus
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Corm grade: 8–9 cm circumference, as specified by the supplier. This measures around the corm, not across it.
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Origin: Netherlands, as listed by the supplier
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Dispatch location: Staten Island, New York, USA
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Shipping area: United States; availability depends on the destination
A Small Planting with Seasonal Interest
- Fall flowers for sunny beds, borders and well-drained containers
- A compact 12-corm pack for a home-growing project
- Perennial corms that can produce daughter corms over time
- The red flower stigmas are the part traditionally harvested for saffron
Plan for your climate: Late summer to early fall is the usual planting window. Check that the expected arrival suits your local season before ordering. Late planting, corm maturity and growing conditions can affect establishment and flowering. First-season blooms and a particular harvest size are not guaranteed.
Planting and Care
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Choose full sun and good drainage. Aim for at least six hours of direct sun. Avoid spots where water collects; a raised bed or a deep container with drainage holes can help.
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Plant promptly in the appropriate local window. Northern growers commonly plant in August or early September. Do not hold autumn corms until the following spring.
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Leave room to grow. Place the pointed end upward, about 4 inches apart. A planting depth of about 4–6 inches is commonly recommended; adapt to your soil, corm size and local Extension advice.
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Water thoughtfully. Water after planting to settle the soil, then adjust to rainfall and soil moisture. Avoid waterlogged soil and routine watering during summer dormancy.
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Keep the green leaves. After flowering, foliage supports the next generation of corms. Let it die back naturally. Divide crowded clumps during the summer dormant period.
Climate guide: Generally USDA zones 5–8, with suitable drainage and seasonal conditions. Containers are more exposed to freezing than in-ground plantings, so seek local advice about winter protection.
Harvesting Saffron
Harvest only from positively identified Crocus sativus. With clean hands and tools, separate the red stigmas from clean, fresh flowers as they begin to open. Dry the stigmas fully before airtight storage away from light. Follow the University of Vermont's saffron handling guidance.
Safety: The corms are for planting, not eating. Follow any treatment or pesticide label restrictions before harvesting. Never confuse saffron crocus with poisonous Colchicum, also called autumn crocus or meadow saffron.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these saffron seeds?
No. Crocus sativus is sterile and is propagated from corms. The current offer is 12 planting corms. The page address retains legacy wording, but the pack details above describe the current product.
Will all 12 corms flower in the first fall?
Flowering varies with maturity, planting date, storage history and growing conditions. Some corms may need another growing season.
How much saffron will I harvest?
Each flower has three red stigmas. A small home planting gives a small, hand-picked harvest; pack quantity does not guarantee a flower count or a weight of saffron.
Does U.S. dispatch mean U.S.-grown?
No. The supplier lists Netherlands origin and dispatch from New York.
Do the photographs show the supplied pack?
The photographs illustrate flowers and saffron harvesting. They do not show the actual corms supplied, an included spice product or a guaranteed result.
