How to Plant and Care for Saffron for Stunning Fall Color

Saffron Care

Following are the main care requirements when growing saffron plants.

• Plant in late summer or early fall in well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
• Place the bulb in full sunlight.
• Be careful not to overwater, but do fertilize the flowers after planting.
• Overwinter bulbs inside if your area regularly experiences temperatures below 40 degrees F.

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Light

Full, bright autumn sunlight is needed for crocuses to bloom their brilliant purple flowers. If you are growing them indoors, place them in a sunny window with direct sunlight.

Land

Saffron grows best in well-drained, organically rich soil, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline.

Water

Water your saffron plants immediately after planting, but be careful not to overwater them for the rest of the season. Half an inch of water per week is sufficient, and overwatering can lead to root rot. Do not water for the rest of the year.

Temperature and humidity

Saffron is a fall flower that prefers temperatures that are neither too hot nor too cold, which is why it grows best in zones 6 through 9. If temperatures drop below 40 degrees F, it is best to overwinter the bulbs indoors. Humid weather will also negatively affect saffron.

Fertilizer

Saffron grows best in soil rich in organic matter, so it will benefit from a bone meal fertilizer soon after planting. You can also amend the soil with an NPK fertilizer in the spring.

Crocus Saffron Breeding

Typically, a saffron bulb can produce for four to five years. During that life, it continues to reproduce underground, giving you more plants each year. After five years, you can dig up the bulbs—now there will be more bulbs than you originally planted. Divide the bulbs to spread out and replant in the same area or in a new area.

How to grow saffron from bulbs

Saffron bulbs should be planted in late summer or early fall, giving the plants enough time before the blooming season in October or November. Plant them three inches deep and three inches apart in a spot with full sun and well-drained soil.

Cover each bulb with soil and a thin layer of mulch. You should have flowers in just six to eight weeks.

Growing and repotting saffron

Saffron can be grown in pots, but this is usually only done when growing flowers indoors. You can plant the bulbs two to three inches deep in a container with a well-draining soil mix. Make sure each bulb has at least three inches of space.

With enough water and sun, you should have flowers in six to eight weeks. Remove the bulbs after they bloom and either overwinter or plant them in the garden, depending on your area.

Saffron over winter

If you live in zones 6 to 9, you can overwinter your saffron bulbs in the ground and they will sprout the following year. However, if you live in a zone colder than zone 6, you will need to dig up the bulbs and overwinter indoors at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees F.

Common pests in crops

While saffron is generally a hardy plant, it does have some enemies in the garden. Furry friends, including squirrels and chipmunks, will try to eat the sprouts. In the winter, moles and voles will come for the bulbs.

Additionally, there is a crocus mite that will eat the bulbs. Planting the bulbs deep in the soil—at least five inches—can prevent mites from reaching them.

How to make saffron plant bloom

Saffron has bright purple flowers that bloom in mid to late fall. The flowers typically last about two to three weeks, and the distinctive red stigmas last longer while the flowers remain on the plant. They bloom once and that’s it for the season—no amount of spent flowers can bloom again.

Blooming month

Crocuses typically bloom around October to November and add a vibrant purple color to your fall garden. If the bulbs are properly overwintered, you will have flowers blooming year round.

What does saffron look like and smell like?

Saffron flowers have a sweet, honey-like scent. The vibrant purple flowers have classic yellow stamens but also brilliant red stigmas—which is what you know as spiced saffron.

How to encourage more flowers

While you may only have a few flowers per plant, you can encourage those flowers to bloom profusely by making sure your saffron plants are planted in rich, well-drained soil.

Common problems with saffron

Although saffron is a surprisingly easy flower to grow despite its expensive reputation, there are still some problems that can arise. Fortunately, these problems are largely avoidable.

Root rot

Root rot is often caused by overwatering and can cause the plant to wilt and die. You can avoid this by making sure the plant is planted in well-drained soil and not watering during dormant periods.

Rot

Bulb rot is when the bulb of the plant begins to rot. This disease is usually caused by bacteria or fungi in the soil and will cause the saffron shoots to droop and turn yellow. Any infected plants should be removed as the bulb rot can spread to healthy plants.