Crocus: Care – Complete Guide

Crocuses are actually a whole genus of perennial plants in the iris family, comprising no less than 90 species. The crocus is often confused, in general, with the saffron because the genus contains the famous and valued spice, although only the Crocus sativus corresponds to this

The crocuses, or crocos, are native species of the scrub, forest, and grassland areas in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, over a wide spectrum of altitudes. Is about bulbous plants mainly appreciated for its flowers which, although quite short-lived, produce a large quantity. They rarely exceed 8 cm in height in most species, although some can grow up to 13 cm.

The flowers can be colored yellow, white or purple, with different existing patterns due to the great variety of species and hybridizations. The leaves are narrow, of a green color that in some species turns yellow until they wither after flowering.

It is usually used in gardens to decorate curbs, rockeries and to add areas of color to the lawn, as well as to grow in a pot and give life to any space.

Here you can meet more bulb plants.

The crocus is not a demanding plant in terms of its location. As for this, the only important thing is that it is sheltered from strong windssince the continuous currents of aggressive winds can do a lot of damage.

For the rest, the plant can grow without problems both in semi-shade locations and in full sun, thus being able to be grown both outdoors and in a pot. It is also a plant with a great resistance to coldMany of its species can withstand frost without too many problems, even some strong ones.

In this other article you can learn more Outdoor plants resistant to cold and shade.

This plant is Very resistant to drought, making it one of those common cases where going short is preferable to going overboard. Irrigation can be done 1 or 2 times a weekbut this will depend to a large extent on the climate and the characteristics of the soil, so it is much more reliable to look at the moisture status of the earth and the substrate.

When the soil is dry, apply a moderate watering at the base of the plant, trying not to wet the aerial part to avoid future problems of excess humidity. Never flood when watering, as this could suffocate the plant or cause root rot. After flowering, once the plant goes into vegetative rest, you have to reduce the risks a lot until it becomes active again.

The most important thing about the crocus substrate is that it offers best possible drainage since, as we have just mentioned, the plant does not tolerate waterlogging. Nor does it need excessively nutrient-rich substrates and, in fact, it can survive even in very poor soils, although if you want it to produce abundant and beautiful flowering you must give it nutrients for it.

We recommend using our universal seedbed substrate mix: mix earthworm humus, coconut fiber and peat in equal parts and add a handful of vermiculite and another of perlite. Stir well and you will obtain a light mixture, with great drainage and optimal water retention capacities, as well as being very rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.

In the garden, if you are not sure where to plant, water with a hose and note where the water accumulates forming puddles and where it does not, to know that where the drainage is good your crocus will not have problems.

Planted in a pot or in a garden, it is important that the bulbs do not touch each other when placing them, to between 5 and 8 cm deep. As always with these cases, it is vital to pay attention that the bulb is facing upwards and water after planting to provide the soil with the right level of moisture, usually requiring a much more abundant first watering than usual, although without flooding.

In a pot, the ideal is to leave a few 5 cm separation between bulbsalthough when planted in a very spacious or large area they can be kept up to 15 cm apart between them.

The plant is quite resistant to attack by the most common pests and diseases, the most common risk factors being fungi due to excess humidity and moles in rural areaswhich can search for the bulbs to feed on them.