How to grow Saffron Crocus

Crocus sativus

🌿 Herb 🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Lilac autumn crocuses with three long red stigmas — the world's most expensive spice. Twenty corms give enough saffron for a few paellas.

At a glance: Sow early August to early September, harvest in October.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow outdoors

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Early August – early September · 11 weeks before the first autumn frost
Plant Bulbs
Plant 10 cm deep and 10 cm apart, pointy end up, in well-drained soil or pots. Water in.
30–60 days after “Plant Bulbs” · Early September – early October
Look for Shoots
Green shoots should be showing. Keep pots moist but not wet and watch for slugs on young leaves.

May
Let the Leaves Die Back
Leave the leaves until they yellow in late spring, then tidy them away. Lift and divide crowded clumps every 3–4 years in summer.
October
Pick the Saffron
Each morning, pluck the three red stigmas from open flowers with tweezers and dry them on paper somewhere warm.
November
Feed the Leaves
The grassy leaves grow over winter — give a high-potash feed to build up the corms.