Crocus bulbs are robust and easy to care for. The absolutely winter-hardy tubers sprout new ones every year - without you having to do much about it. What you need to know about planting and caring for crocus bulbs.
How do you plant and care for crocus bulbs correctly?
Crocus bulbs should be planted and placed in soil immediately after purchase. The correct planting depth is twice the length of the tuber. Plant early-blooming crocuses in the fall, while fall crocuses are planted in August. Crocuses are hardy and do not require any additional care indoors.
The size of the tuber depends on the size of the plant
The shape of crocus bulbs is reminiscent of kitchen onions. Just like this one, the upper end, from which leaves and flowers will later sprout, tapers to a point.
The size of the bulb indicates how large the future plant will be. The bigger the bulb, the bigger the flowers.
Unpack and plant crocus bulbs immediately after purchase
Crocus bulbs do not tolerate long storage well. If you buy crocuses for the garden, you should unpack them immediately and get them in the ground within the next three days. Keep the poisonous tubers out of the reach of pets, especially rabbits.
If you want to care for crocuses indoors, immediately place the tubers in a suitable planter filled with soil. Keep it dark and cool.
Crocus bulbs from specialist retailers are pre-treated and do not necessarily need a cold phase. Nevertheless, you should keep the planter cool and only bring it into the room after it has sprouted.
The best time to plant crocus bulbs
Varieties that bloom in spring go into the ground in fall. The flowers develop the following spring.
Autumn crocuses are planted in August. They grow very quickly and produce flowers as early as September. The flowering period lasts until October and, if the weather is good, even November.
How to plant the tubers correctly
- Dig planting hole
- If necessary, add some mature compost
- Place the onion with the root side down
- Fill planting site with soil
- Easy to compete
The depth of the planting hole depends on the size of the bulb. It should be a maximum of twice as deep as the tuber is long.
Do not plant the tubers too deep or too high. If the ground cover is too thick, it will take too long for the earth to warm up and the onion to start sprouting. If the bulb sits too high, the crocus will easily tip over later.
Crocus bulbs do not have to be overwintered indoors
Crocuses are completely hardy. They can also survive very low temperatures without freezing to death. Without a longer cold phase, the tubers would hardly or not sprout at all anyway.
Tips & Tricks
A flower bulb planter (€9.00 on Amazon) is very helpful when planting crocus bulbs. Using the pulled lever, the soil is dug out and poured back into the planting hole when the lever is released. The markings on the edge are practical, with which you can cut the planting holes to the desired depth.
