Grow Your Own Saffron Crocus
Start a small saffron planting with 12 Crocus sativus corms. This fall-flowering crocus produces lilac-purple flowers with the red stigmas used for culinary saffron. The corms in this pack are supplied in the seller's 8–9 cm circumference grade.
Why Choose Saffron Crocus
- Fall flowers for sunny beds and well-drained containers
- Perennial corms that can multiply over time
- The species traditionally grown for saffron spice
- A 12-corm pack for a compact planting
Pack Details
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Quantity: 12 planting corms
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Botanical name: Crocus sativus
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Corm grade: 8–9 cm circumference, as specified by the supplier
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Origin: Netherlands, as listed by the supplier
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Dispatch location: Staten Island, New York, USA
Planting Instructions
- Plant promptly in late summer or early fall. Northern growers generally plant in August or early September; timing varies with local climate. Do not store corms until the following spring.
- Choose full sun and freely draining soil. Raised beds or containers with drainage holes can help where garden soil stays wet.
- As a general home-garden guide, plant about 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart, with the pointed end facing upward. Colder northern sites may need approximately 6 inches of planting depth; follow local Extension guidance.
- Water to settle the soil after planting, then adjust watering to rainfall and soil moisture. Avoid standing water and reduce watering during summer dormancy.
- Allow green leaves to mature and die back naturally. Established clumps can be divided during their summer dormant period.
Climate: Generally suitable for USDA zones 5–8. Drainage, seasonal temperatures and local conditions matter as much as the zone number. Consult local Extension guidance for colder or warmer sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these saffron seeds?
No. Crocus sativus is sterile and is propagated from corms. This pack contains planting corms.
Will they flower in the first season?
Flowering depends on corm maturity, planting date and growing conditions. First-season blooms and harvest size are not guaranteed, particularly with late planting.
Which part is used as saffron?
Only the red flower stigmas from positively identified Crocus sativus are used for saffron spice. These corms are for planting, not eating. Do not confuse this species with toxic Colchicum, also called autumn crocus or meadow saffron.
What does the photograph show?
A representative mature saffron crocus flower. It does not show the corms supplied or promise a particular flowering result.
Photograph: Hope Duckworth, NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, CC BY 4.0. Unmodified photograph.
