
The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Crocus Flowers
Winter covers the landscape of most homes with a blank palette. It isn’t until spring that the monochromatic whites and grays become dotted with vibrant blues, greens, and yellows. Among the first flowers to add flecks of color through the pure white snow is the crocus.
While crocuses don’t require a high degree of maintenance, that doesn’t mean they’re completely foolproof. To ensure that your crocuses are ready to greet when spring comes around, follow our tips below.
Why are crocuses popular?
It’s hard to find a reason that crocuses shouldn’t be popular. The crocus flower comes in a panoply of bold colors that range from bright pinks to lively yellows to deep blues.
They’re also low maintenance. And for those looking to attract bees to their yard, crocuses offer a pleasing aroma that helps put pollinators in the mood. Yet, some garden pests like deer and rabbits typically prefer to munch on other flowers.
Crocuses are also relatively self-sustaining and add variety to flower gardens due to their short stature. They typically grow to 2 to 4 inches, though some may reach another inch or two on top of that.
Each year, they’ll spread and re-grow with just a minimal amount of care and attention, turning a small seed investment into a vivid flowering display.
If your goal is a colorful welcome to spring, you’ll want to focus on two types of crocus flowers: species varieties, such as the snow or wild crocus, and the Dutch crocus.
Saffron crocus and crocuses belonging to the lily family, while beautiful, bloom in autumn.
When and where should you plant crocuses?
To begin your spring with a crocus bouquet, you’ll want to include crocus bulbs in your fall planting party. Specifically, you’ll plant them no more than eight weeks before fall’s first hard frost.
This timeline means those in the northern United States should plan to plant their bulbs by October. Those in the southern portion of the country may have an extra month.
Unlike other flowers that you want to plant in a relatively organized manner, crocuses look best when grown in a bunch. Place at least ten bulbs in nearby holes around 3 or 4 inches deep and 3 inches apart.
To aid growth, the pointy end of the crocus bulb should be pointing upward.
Once you’ve planted your bulbs, give them a good watering. You don’t need to do any additional watering unless you experience an especially dry fall and winter.
You can cover the beds with mulch to help keep the bulbs insulated and provide them with nutrients. You don’t need much mulch, and you should leave only the lightest layer as the blooming season approaches.
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, there’s no wrong place to plant your crocuses. Their short stature and pop of color can create a layered effect when grown along the edges of flower beds.
You can also plant them on your lawn to create a carpet of colorful flowers come spring.
Since crocuses bloom earlier than other flowers, and when many trees haven’t had the chance to regrow their lost leaves, you can plant crocuses in places that may otherwise be shady in late spring or early summer. However, try to avoid planting them in areas devoid of sunlight in late winter and early spring.
How do you take care of a crocus plant after it blooms?
Once you’ve planted your crocus bulbs, there isn’t much that you need to do. As mentioned above, keep an eye on the dryness of your lawn.
You may need to do some watering throughout the fall or winter if there’s a lack of snowfall.
You can apply fertilizer, but the flowers don’t require much attention. If you live in an area with a short spring where temperatures quickly climb, it’s better to fertilize at the beginning of fall when you plant the bulbs.
If you have a longer, more moderate spring, add a small amount of fertilizer in late winter.
The critical thing about caring for a crocus after it blooms is leaving the leaves alone until they’ve turned yellow and begun to die. So, if you plan to create a crocus carpet in your yard, skip mowing that portion until at least early summer.
How can you protect your crocus plants from weather and pests?
Due to their low maintenance, the question of how to take care of a crocus plant typically comes down to protecting them from their most significant threats: weather and pests.
With the weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, there’s always the possibility of a strong winter storm after your flowers have begun blooming. The best way to protect them in these situations is to cover the plants with a plastic milk jug.
Frost barrier blankets, a light soil barrier, or cardboard can also work in a pinch.
The goal is to cover them without crushing them. Crocuses can survive temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit, so the cold isn’t as much of a concern as the heavy snow.
While deer and rabbits tend to shy away from crocus plants, squirrels and mice may feed on their leaves. Consider using a wire cage to protect the leaves if this is a recurring issue.
Some gardeners swear that dog or cat hair scattered around the flowers will keep pests away. A chemical repellent should be considered a tool of last resort due to its effect on the soil.
One final concern is that because crocus flowers spread and grow by themselves, your flower gardens may become overcrowded. If you notice this, dig up some of the plants after they’ve flowered to replant elsewhere or give to a friend.
You get bonus points if you refer to that person as your “crocus crony” in casual conversation.
What if your crocus bulbs don’t bloom?
Even though they don’t need much attention to thrive, there may be situations where your crocuses simply won’t bloom. It’s challenging to offer a general diagnosis because there could be several issues at play:
- You planted your crocuses too late.
- The environment was too warm.
- The ground was too arid.
- The soil was too moist.
- Pests are getting to the bulbs before they bloom.
Some of these fixes are easy. For example, if you live in an area that doesn’t get eight weeks of chilly temperatures, consider keeping bulbs in your refrigerator until temperatures drop.
Soil issues also offer quick resolutions. Arid soil needs gentle watering at least once a week. If the soil is too moist, there may be a drainage issue. In the latter case, you can either find a new place to plant the bulbs or try ways to make your yard more drainable.
Crocuses are an excellent flower for garden novices and enthusiasts alike. With their low level of maintenance and ability to add vibrant colors to an otherwise gray landscape, it’s no surprise that so many gardeners appreciate the flower.